All posts by Marilyn Green

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – July 21, 2022

For the first time all season, on Wednesday, July 20, no games were played in the Cardinals minor league system, but the two rookie level teams will be back in action Thursday.

Memphis Redbirds – Off

The Memphis Redbirds are 50-40, 4.5 games back of the Nashville Sounds in third place in the International League West.

Friday’s game:  at Gwinnett, TBA vs. TBA 7:05 CT (The Redbirds are off until Friday, July 22)

Springfield Cardinals- Off

The Springfield Cardinals are 10-8 in the second half, one game back of the Wichita Wind Surge in the Texas League North.

Friday’s game:  at NW Arkansas, TBA vs. TBA 7:05 CT (The Cardinals are off until Friday, July 22)

Peoria Chiefs – Off

The Peoria Chiefs are 7-14 in the second half, in fifth place in the Midwest League West, eight games back of the South Bend Cubs.

Friday’s game:  at Cedar Rapids, TBA vs. TBA 6:35 CT (The Chiefs are off until Friday, July 22)

Palm Beach Cardinals – Off

The Palm Beach Cardinals are 12-9 and in first place in the Florida State League East by one game.

Friday’s game:  at Daytona, TBA vs. TBA, 6:05 CT (The Cardinals are off until Friday, July 22)

FCL Cardinals – Off

The Florida Complex League Cardinals are 17-16 and are 9.5 games back of the Nationals in fifth place in the East Division.

Thursday’s game:  vs. FCL Astros Blue, TBA vs. TBA 11:00 am CT

DSL Cardinals – Off

The DSL Cardinals are 18-17 and are four games back of Colorado in the DSL South Division.

Thursday’s game:  at DSL Brewers2, TBA vs. TBA 10:00 am CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Peoria Chiefs Notebook – 2022 Week 15


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – July 20, 2022

photo: Cardinals Dominican Academy (St. Louis Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-0 on Tuesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, catcher Justin Guerrero, was 3-for-4 with a triple and four RBI in the DSL Cardinals win over Colorado.

Results from games played Tuesday, July 19.

Memphis Redbirds – Off

The Memphis Redbirds are 50-40, 4.5 games back of the Nashville Sounds in third place in the International League West.

Friday’s game:  at Gwinnett, TBA vs. TBA 7:05 CT (The Redbirds are off until Friday, July 22)

Springfield Cardinals- Off

The Springfield Cardinals are 10-8 in the second half, one game back of the Wichita Wind Surge in the Texas League North.

Friday’s game:  at NW Arkansas, TBA vs. TBA 7:05 CT (The Cardinals are off until Friday, July 22)

Peoria Chiefs – Off

The Peoria Chiefs are 7-14 in the second half, in fifth place in the Midwest League West, eight games back of the South Bend Cubs.

Friday’s game:  at Cedar Rapids, TBA vs. TBA 6:35 CT (The Chiefs are off until Friday, July 22)

Palm Beach Cardinals – Off

The Palm Beach Cardinals are 12-9 and in first place in the Florida State League East by one game.

Friday’s game:  at Daytona, TBA vs. TBA, 6:05 CT (The Cardinals are off until Friday, July 22)

FCL Cardinals – Off

The Florida Complex League Cardinals are 17-16 and are 9.5 games back of the Nationals in fifth place in the East Division.

Thursday’s game:  vs. FCL Astros Blue, TBA vs. TBA 11:00 am CT (The Cardinals are off until Thursday, July 21)

DSL Cardinals 8, DSL Colorado 7

The Dominican Summer League Cardinals (18-17) edged the Rockies 8-7 in a Tuesday morning contest. Starter Juan Salas pitched five scoreless innings, allowed one hit, struck out three and walked one.

Juan Salas

Ronny Oliver struggled, surrendering six runs in two innings of relief. Oliver was charged with a blown save, his first of the season. Jovi Galvez allowed one run in 2/3 innings. Henry Gomez tossed the final 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn his fourth win of the season.

The Cardinals plated their first run in the second inning. Jose Suarez led off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Arfeni Batista singled to score Suarez.

An RBI double from Justin Guerrero in the third brought two more runs home for the Cardinals. In the sixth inning, Colorado scored two to cut the lead to 3-2. The visitors took the lead in the seventh with four runs and added one more in the eighth to make it 7-3 Rockies.

The Cardinals answered in the home half of the ninth and scored five runs to walk off the Rockies with an 8-7 victory. The inning began with a single by Yancel Guerrero, who stole second base. Jonathan Mejia drew a walk. Carlos Carmona also walked to load the bases. Yordalin Pena singled and Guerrero scored. Mejia scored on a sac fly by Suarez. Justin Guerrero hit a triple that scored Carmona and Pena. Keshawn Rombley pinch ran for Justin Guerrero. Arfeni Batista drew a walk. Yaisel Ramos then plated Rombley on a sac fly.

Justin Guerrero

Player of the Day Justin Guerrero went 3-for-4 with four RBI. Suarez was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Yancel Guerrero was 2-for-4.

On the base paths, Yancel Guerrero stole his fourth base of the season. He was also picked off and caught stealing for the second time in the season.

In the field, Justin Guerrero made a throwing error.

Wednesday’s game:  Off.
Thursday’s game: at Brewers2, TBA vs. TBA, 11:00 a.m. ET


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

A Disappointing Tuesday for Cardinals’ Jacobs


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

St. Louis Cardinals Major League Notebook – Week of July 11 – 17

photo: Miles Mikolas (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals headed into the break with a 4-2 week but also with more injuries and clear pitching needs. Miles Mikolas is a deserving All-Star Game addition. Our Blast from the Past recounts key events this past week in Cardinals All-Star Game history.



Game recaps

Monday, July 11 – Cardinals 6, Phillies 1

The St. Louis Cardinals were victorious in the final game with the Phillies at Busch Stadium to split the series 2-2. Miles Mikolas started for St. Louis. The right hander pitched 7 1/3 innings, gave up one run on six hits and struck out five to earn his sixth win of the season.

Miles Mikolas

Genesis Cabrera relieved Mikolas and threw one scoreless inning. Junior Fernandez secured the final two outs of the ninth.

The Phillies got on the board first with one run in the first inning. The game remained 1-0 until the fifth inning. The home half began with a single from Dylan Carlson. Carlson advanced to second on a ground out by Albert Pujols. Corey Dickerson plated Carlson on a single. Edmundo Sosa followed with a double to score Dickerson. Sosa came home on a single by Andrew Knizner.

St. Louis added to the 3-1 lead in the seventh on a two-run long ball by Dickerson. Lars Nootbaar thumped a solo home run in the eighth for the final score of 6-1.

Corey Dickerson

Carlson was 3-for-4. Dickerson was 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Nootbaar, Sosa and Knizner each drove in a run.

In the field, Carlson had an outfield assist at second base.

Tuesday, July 12, Cardinals 7, Dodgers 6

The Cardinals squeaked by the Dodgers for a one-run win in the opener of the three-game series at Busch Stadium. Jordan Hicks started as the opener in what became a bullpen game. Hicks pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings with one hit, one strikeout and three walks.

Johan Oviedo relieved Hicks and surrendered one run in 1 1/3 innings. Matthew Libertore, who was originally scheduled to start, allowed three runs in 2 1/3 innings pitched. Junior Fernandez relinquished an unearned run while getting the final two outs of the sixth. Fernandez started the seventh and loaded the bases without getting an out. Packy Naughton entered with the bases loaded and no outs and Houdini’d a scoreless inning. Giovanny Gallegos gave up one run in the ninth to earn his 10th save. Oviedo was awarded the win.

Packy Naughton

The Cardinals put up three runs in the second inning to go ahead. The scoring begam with a solo home run by Albert Pujols, the 685th of his career. Juan Yepez singled and Corey Dickerson followed with a ground rule double. Yepez came home on a wild pitch. Dickerson scored on a single by Andrew Knizner.

The Dodgers scored their first run in the top of the third. The Cardinals answered with another run in the home half on a solo long ball from Nolan Gorman.

St. Louis made it 6-1 in the fourth on RBI singles by Knizner and Nolan Arenado. The Dodgers came back to score two runs in the fifth to cut the lead to 6-3.

Los Angeles chipped away at the lead with one run in the sixth and another in the seventh to make 6-5. The Cardinals responded in the eighth with an insurance run on an RBI single by Knizner. The run was crucial because the Dodgers scored their sixth run in the ninth, but the bullpen held off to win the game 7-6.

Andrew Knizner

Knizner went 3-for-4 with three RBI. Dickerson was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Tommy Edman was 2-for-5. Arenado, Gorman and Pujols each had an RBI.

In the field, Lars Nootbaar made a throwing error. Knizner was charged with catcher interference.

Wednesday, July 13 – Cardinals 6, Dodgers 7

The tables turned on Wednesday night as the Cardinals were the victims of a 7-6 loss at the hands of the Dodgers, snapping their modest three-game winning streak. Adam Wainwright took the mound for St. Louis. The right hander pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings, allowed four hits, struck out five and walked four.

Adam Wainwright

Packy Naughton got the final two outs of the sixth. Drew VerHagen surrendered two runs in the seventh. Genesis Cabrera allowed two runs in the eighth and was replaced with two outs by Junior Fernandez. Fernandez relinquished a run before getting the final out of the inning. Giovanny Gallegos gave up two more runs in the ninth and took the loss. He was also charged with his sixth blown save of the season.

The Cardinals took a 4-0 lead in the third inning. Andrew Knizner singled and Tommy Edman followed with a double. Paul Goldschmidt plated both runners on a single. Nolan Arenado then hit a two-run home run to left field.

St. Louis added to the lead with one run in the fourth on an RBI double by Knizner. In the sixth, the Cardinals made it 6-0 on a single by Lars Nootbaar.

The Dodgers came back against the Cardinals pen with a vengeance after Wainwright and Naughton were finished with the sixth. Los Angeles scored two runs in the seventh, three runs in the eighth, and two more in the ninth. The Cardinals failed to answer. The bullpen meltdown beginning with Cabrera and ending with Gallegos turned a six-run lead into a one run loss.

Nootbaar and Knizner were each 2-for-4 with an RBI. Edman was 2-for-5. Goldschmidt and Arenado each had two RBI.

In the field, Knizner had a passed ball.

Thursday, July 14 – Cardinals 0, Dodgers 4

On Thursday, the Cardinals were blanked by the Dodgers while dropping the home series. Starter Dakota Hudson pitched 6 2/3 innings, gave up four runs on six hits, struck out three and walked one. The loss was Hudson’s sixth of the season.

Drew VerHagen relieved and threw 2/3 scoreless innings. T.J. McFarland tossed the final 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in the fourth. They added one run in the sixth and two runs in the seventh. The quiet Cardinals offense scattered five hits, struck out seven times and was 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Dylan Carlson was 2-for-3 with a double and Nolan Arenado was 2-for-4 with a double. Paul Goldschmidt had the only other hit.

In the field, Tyler O’Neill had an outfield assist at third base, and Juan Yepez threw Freddie Freeman out at home.

Friday, July 15 – Cardinals 7, Reds 3

The Cardinals beat the Reds in the first of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. Andre Pallante started for St. Louis. The right hander pitched five innings, gave up three runs on six hits, struck out five and walked three to earn his third win of the season.

Giovanny Gallegos relieved and threw a scoreless sixth. Jordan Hicks hurled 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Genesis Cabrera and Ryan Helsley combined to toss the final 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Helsley earned his eighth save.

The Reds opened with a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. The Cardinals quickly tied it in the home half. Tommy Edman singled. Dylan Carlson and Paul Goldschmidt each drew a walk. Nolan Arenado plated Edman on a sac fly. Brendan Donovan’s sac fly scored Carlson.

The Cardinals went up 3-2 in the second on an RBI double by Carlson. The Reds tied it at 3-3 in the third.

In the fourth, Nolan Gorman hit a solo home run to give the Cardinals the lead again, 4-3. Corey Dickerson’s single in the sixth brought home Tyler O’Neill for a 5-3 edge.

Carlson and Goldschmidt walked to begin the seventh. Donovan drove in both on a line drive single to left field.

Brendan Donovan

Donovan was 2-for-3 with three RBI. Edman was 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Carlson, Arenado, Gorman and Dickerson each had an RBI.

In the field, Carlson had an outfield assist at third base.

Saturday, July 16 – Cardinals 11, Reds 3

The Cardinals shellacked the Reds on Saturday with an 11-3 drubbing in the second game of the series. Miles Mikolas took the mound for St. Louis. Mikolas pitched seven innings, gave up one run on three hits, struck out four and walked one. Mikolas earned his seventh win.

T.J. McFarland relieved and surrendered two unearned runs while getting only one out. Johan Oviedo tossed the final 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Reds scored one run in the first inning. The Cardinals answered in the home half with two runs. Tommy Edman singled. After two outs were recorded by Dylan Carlson and Paul Goldschmidt, Albert Pujols drew a walk, followed by walks to Tyler O’Neill and Brendan Donovan, which scored Edman. Edmundo Sosa was hit by a pitch to plate Pujols.

The Cardinal added three in the second inning on a two-run long ball by Goldschmidt, the 300th of his career, and a single from Sosa. In the third, a Carlson triple and a Goldschmidt single brought home two more runs to make it 7-1.

Paul Goldschmidt

Neither team scored through the next three innings. In the seventh, Lars Nootbaar walked, Andrew Knizner singled, and Edman reached on a fielder’s choice with a throwing error. A second fielder’s choice with a throwing error scored Nootbaar and the Cardinals led 8-1.

The Reds managed two more runs in the eighth to make it 8-3. The Cardinals scored three additional runs in the bottom of the eighth on a three-run home run by Nootbaar.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-5 with three RBI. Edman was 2-for-5 with three runs scored. Nootbaar drove in three and Sosa had two RBI. Donovan and Carlson each had an RBI.

On the base paths, Edman stole his 20th base of the season. Sosa swiped his third. In the field, Knizner was charged with catcher interference for the second time in the week, and Donovan made a fielding error.

Sunday, July 17 – Reds at Cardinals (postponed)

Sunday’s game between the Cardinals and Reds was postponed due to rain. Steven Matz’ return from the injured list was delayed as a result. The rescheduled contest will be played as part of a split doubleheader on September 17 at Busch Stadium.

NL Central Standings

Team W L Pct GB
Milwaukee 50 43 0.538
St. Louis 50 44 0.532 0.5
Pittsburgh 39 54 0.419 11
Chicago 35 57 0.38 14.5
Cincinnati 34 57 0.374 15

The Big Picture

The Cardinals ended the week with a record of 4-2. The team won the final game of the Phillies series, lost of 2 of 3 to the Dodgers and won the first two games of the Reds series. The third game of the Reds series was postponed.

The Cardinals head into the break a half game back of the Brewers, as Milwaukee didn’t fare well against the Giants over the weekend. However, if the season ended today, St. Louis would miss the third Wild Card by percentage points to Philadelphia. The Giants are very close behind.

The offense greatly improved over the previous week. The one shutout by the Dodgers that marred the week, but the offense in the other games was sufficient enough for a winning record.

The pitching, however, regressed to the mean after its improved performance last week. One game against the Dodgers featured a bullpen meltdown that took the game from a 6-0 lead for the Cardinals to a 7-6 loss. As we enter the All-Star Break, the one thing on the mind of the front office right now should be to get pitching help immediately.

Miles Mikolas continues to be the best pitcher in the rotation by a considerable margin. Adam Wainwright is second but the soon to be 41-year-old is showing some wear and tear. It isn’t anything alarming, but his last start wasn’t his best. Dakota Hudson is now on the IL, but it doesn’t appear to be anything concerning, just a sore neck. Steven Matz was scheduled to make his first start back from the IL on Sunday before the game was postponed. The team needs two more starters, as Jack Flaherty is out for a while and Andre Pallante is holding his own but would really be more effective in the bullpen.

The bullpen sorely needs an overhaul. Aside from Ryan Helsley, and Packy Naughton for the moment, the rest of the bullpen has shown some warts, some more than others. T.J. McFarland, recently returned from the Covid IL is no better than he was before he left. Drew VerHagen made two short appearances and is back on the IL. Giovanny Gallegos blew another save and for at least the time being Oli Marmol has taken him out of the back end of the game and is using him in lower leverage situations. Genesis Cabrera has been inconsistent and has shown something of a bad attitude lately. It appears that it might have been taken care of, but time will tell. Junior Fernandez is also inconsistent. There just isn’t sufficient stability in that bullpen right now.

Back to the offense, the top performers for the week by OPS are mostly role players stepping up – Lars Nootbaar (1.745 in 10 ABs), Edmundo Sosa (1.171 in 5 ABs), Andrew Knizner (1.062 in 15 ABs), Corey Dickerson (1.000 in 15 ABs), Nolan Arenado (.990 in 13 ABs) and Dylan Carlson (.907 in 23 ABs).

Lars Nootbaar

At the bottom is Austin Romine (.200 in 4 ABs), and (Juan Yepez (.347 in 8 ABs) who is now on the IL. Tyler O’Neill is .585 in 10 ABs, but he is just back from the IL. Paul Goldschmidt dropped to .602 in 24 ABs.

After the All-Star Break, the Cardinals open with the Reds in Cincinnati. They just finished beating the Reds in two games at Busch Stadium, but there is never any predictability when it comes to playing Cincinnati. Before this last weekend, the Reds had won series against both the Rays and the Yankees. In other words, that team can beat you anytime, anyplace.

Mikolas added as All-Star, Arenado bows out

Since the original picks for the All-Star Game came out last week, there have been some changes. Nolan Arenado made the decision not to participate due to a nagging back injury. He was replaced by Austin Riley of the Braves.

Nolan Arenado

On Sunday it was announced that Cardinals right-handed starting pitcher Miles Mikolas was added to the roster in replacement of the Brewers’ Corbin Burnes. 2022 is Mikolas’ second All-Star selection, joining 2018.

The other Cardinals selections, Paul Goldschmidt, Albert Pujols, and Ryan Helsley will be participating as of this writing.

Trade and Acquisition Rumors

There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.

Transactions

  • 7/11 The Cardinals optioned LHP Zack Thompson to the Memphis Redbirds
  • 7/11 The Cardinals transferred RHP Jack Flaherty from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
  • 7/11 The Cardinals activated LHP T.J. McFarland from the Covid injured list.
  • 7/13 The Cardinals optioned LHP Matthew Liberatore to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 7/13 The Cardinals activated RHP Drew VerHagen from the 10-day injured list.
  • 7/14 The Cardinals optioned OF Lars Nootbaar to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 7/14 The Cardinals activated LF Tyler O’Neill from the 10-day injured list.
  • 7/15 The Cardinals recalled OF Lars Nootbaar from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 7/15 The Cardinals recalled LHP Zack Thompson from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 7/15 The Cardinals placed 1B Juan Yepez on the 10-day injured list. Right forearm strain.
  • 7/15 The Cardinals placed RHP Dakota Hudson on the 15-day injured list. Neck strain.

Injury Report

  • RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) remains on the 60-day IL. The right hander received a second opinion and has had surgery on the shoulder. Whether the injury is season-ending is yet to be determined.
  • LHP Steven Matz (left shoulder stiffness) was activated from the 15-day injured list to start in Sunday’s game against the Reds, but his return to action was put on hold when the game was postponed.
  • C Yadier Molina (right knee inflammation) was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 17, retroactive to June 16. Molina is rehabbing in Puerto Rico. The catcher is expected to be sent on a rehab assignment during the last week of July and return to the roster in early August.
  • LF Tyler O’Neill was activated from the 10-day injured list and started in the Reds series.
  • LHP T.J. McFarland was activated from the Covid list.
  • RHP Drew VerHagen was activated from the 15-day injured list. After making an appearance out of the bullpen against the Dodgers on Wednesday and Thursday, the right hander was placed on the 15-day injured list again on Sunday, retroactive to July 15. The placement was due to the same ailment for which he had gone on the injured list previously, right hip impingement.
  • RHP Jack Flaherty (right shoulder strain) was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. The right hander is out for an indeterminate time.
  • CF Harrison Bader was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 27. Right foot plantar fasciitis. The outfielder has been going through conditioning and light baseball activity. He is still bothered by lingering pain with his return uncertain.
  • RHP Dakota Hudson was placed on the 15-day injured list on July 15 with a neck strain. Hudson was not scheduled to pitch until after the All-Star Break. No date for a return has been announced.

Dakota Hudson

  • 1B Juan Yepez was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 15 with a right forearm strain. Yepez incurred the injury on a throw from the outfield in a game against the Dodgers. No date for a return has been announced, but he could be out from 10 days to three weeks.

Juan Yepez

  • 3B Nolan Arenado has been bothered by lingering back pain over the last several weeks. Arenado has not been placed on the injured list but has bowed out of the All-Star Game in order to rest. The 3B was not in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Reds but returned in the role of DH for the game on Sunday.

Looking Ahead

The homestand concluded on Sunday with the final game of the series with the Reds. The All-Star Break begins on Monday.

After the Break, the second half of the season begins on Friday, July 22 in Cincinnati with a weekend series against the Reds. No pitching probables have been announced as the rotation may be adjusted for the second half.

After a Monday, July 25 travel day, the team goes to Toronto for two games. There is no game on Thursday as the team travels to the final destination of the month of July – Washington D.C. – to face the Nationals in a weekend series.

A homestand begins the month of August with three games with the Cubs and a weekend set with the Yankees.

After an off day on Monday, August 8, the Cardinals make a brief road trip to Denver to play the Rockies for three.

The regular season schedule can be found here.

Blast from the Past

The 92nd MLB All-Star Game will take place this week, on Tuesday, July 19. The annual All-Star Game began in 1933 and has occurred annually since, except for two seasons when it was cancelled. The first time was in 1945 due to World War II travel restrictions, and the second time was in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Cardinals have sent from eight players (1943) to only one (1938, 1965, 1976, 1978, 1981, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2007, and 2019).

This week’s Blast highlights memorable All-Star games during the period July 11 through July 17 in which a Cardinal player made contributions to the outcome.

Enos Slaughter

On July 11, 1950, the All-Star Game was held at Comiskey Park. The Cardinals sent four players that year, Mary Marion, Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst, and Enos Slaughter.

This contest went 14 innings. The NL took the lead 2-0 in the second inning when Enos Slaughter hits a triple that scores the first run. Slaughter then scored the second run on a single by Hank Sauer of the Cubs.

The AL took the lead with one run in the third and two runs in the fifth. The NL tied it in the ninth. The game remained tied until the 14th inning when Red Schoendienst hit the game winning home run in the top of the 14th. The NL won the game 4-3.

The Cardinals sent five players to the 1953 All-Star Game at Crosley Field in Cincinnati on July 14. They were pitcher Harvey Haddix, Stan Musial, Del Rice, Red Schoendienst and Enos Slaughter. The NL won the game 5-1. Slaughter had two hits, scored twice, and robbed a hit in the outfield.

The 1955 All-Star Game was held on July 12 at County Stadium in Milwaukee. This was also an extra innings game. The Cardinals again sent four players, pitcher Harvey Haddix, pitcher Luis Arroyo, Stan Musial and Red Schoendienst.

The AL took a 4-0 lead in the first inning and added a fifth run in the sixth. The NL made a comeback beginning in the seventh and tied it at 5-5 by the eighth.

In the bottom of the 12th, Stan Musial took the first at bat. It was reported that Musial had a conversation with catcher Yogi Berra in which Berra imparted that his feet hurt. Musial allegedly responded that Berra shouldn’t worry, he (Musial) would have him home in a minute. Musial then hit the game winning home run to give the NL the win 6-5.

In 1965, coming off the 1964 championship, the Cardinals sent only one player to the All-Star Game, pitcher Bob Gibson. Playing in Metropolitan Stadium in Minnesota, the NL won, 6-5.

Gibson contributed by closing out the game with two scoreless innings after Willie Mays scored the winning run in the seventh on a single by Ron Santo. Gibson faced five batters in the eighth. He struck out Willie Horton, got the second out on a ground out, and after a walk and a single, got the final out on a fly ball to center field.

In the ninth, Gibson gave up a lead off double, then retired the next hitter on a pop fly. He then struck out Harmon Killebrew and Joe Pepitone to end the game.

In the 2009 All-Star Game, held at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, the NL lost to the AL 4-3. This was notable for being the first All-Star Game held at the new Busch Stadium and for having the first African-American President of the United States, Barack Obama, throw out the first pitch. Three Cardinals participated in this game, Ryan Franklin, Albert Pujols, and Yadier Molina. Molina drove in two of the NL’s three runs in the bottom of the second inning on a line drive single to center.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Dominican Summer League Cardinals Notebook – 2022 Week 6


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – July 16, 2022

photo: Matt Chamberlain (Peoria Chiefs)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 3-3 on Friday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Palm Beach OF Matt Chamberlain, went 3-for-4 with the winning RBI. Other standouts: Matt Koperniak, Zane Mills, L.J. Jones, Albert Inoa, Diorys Guerrero and Jose Suarez.

Results from games played Friday, July 15.



Memphis 3 at Nashville 4 (10 innings)

The Memphis Redbirds were edged by the Sounds in a 10 inning contest on Friday night in Nashville. Tommy Parsons started for Memphis. The right hander pitched five innings, gave up two runs on four hits, struck out four and walked three.

Grant Black surrendered one run in two innings of relief. Freddy Pacheco threw two scoreless innings. Ryan Loutos started the 10th and gave up the winning run, which was unearned, as the ghost runner scored on a single. Loutos took the loss, his second since joining Memphis on July 1.

The Redbirds got on the board first with a run in the fourth. Paul DeJong drew a walk. Conner Capel singled. Both runners advanced on a fly out by Moises Gomez. Ivan Herrera plated DeJong on a ground out.

Nashville answered in the home fourth with two runs to take the lead. The Sounds increased the lead by one run in the seventh.

Memphis tied it at 3-3 in the ninth on an RBI double by Cory Spangenberg and a single by Alec Burleson.

Cory Spangenberg

The game went into the 10th and the Redbirds were unable to score. In the bottom of the 10th Nashville scored the walk off run to beat Memphis 4-3.

Spangenberg was the only Redbird with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Herrera and Burleson each drove in a run.

On the base paths, the Redbirds were active. Ben DeLuzio stole two bases. Spangenberg swiped his 10th base, and Scott Hurst stole his ninth.

Memphis is 49-39 on the season and is in third place in the International League West, 4.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Saturday’s game:  at Nashville, RHP Aaron Brooks (4-4, 6.50) vs. Tyler Herb RHP (1-4, 5.49) 7:05 CT.

Springfield 4, Tulsa 6

The Springfield Cardinals were defeated by the Drillers in a Friday night game at Hammons Field. Starter Connor Lunn pitched three innings, gave up six runs on eight hits, struck out three and walked two. Lunn took the loss, his fifth.

Michael YaSenka relieved Lunn and threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Dalton Roach tossed the final 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Tulsa took the early 3-0 lead in the first, added two runs in the second and another in the third. Behind 6-0, Springfield had to play catch up which began with two runs in the home third. Mike Antico doubled, and Nick Dunn drew a walk. Both runners advanced on a ground out by Malcom Nunez. Matt Koperniak singled to plate Antico and Dunn.

Matt Koperniak

The Cardinals cut the lead to 6-4 in the seventh on an RBI double by Antico and a double play by Nunez that scored Antico. Springfield was not able to add on further.

Antico went 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Koperniak was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Chandler Redmond was 2-for-3 and Jonah Davis was 2-for-4.

In the field, YaSenka made an error on a pickoff.

Springfield is 9-7 in the second half and is tied for first place in the Texas League North with Wichita.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Tulsa, Edgar Escobar RHP (5-5, 6.92) vs. TBD 6:35 CT.

Peoria 5, South Bend 3

The Peoria Chiefs defeated the Cubs in a 5-3 contest at Dozer Park on Friday night. Zane Mills took the mound for Peoria. The right hander pitched seven innings, gave up two runs on four hits, struck out four and walked two. Mills got the win, his second of the season.

Zane Mills

Andre Granillo surrendered one run in 1 2/3 innings of relief. With the potential tying runs on base, Levi Prater secured the final out via strikeout to earn his first career save.

South Bend went up 2-0 in the first inning. The Chiefs cut the lead to 2-1 in the third. Tommy Jew drew a walk and scored on a single by Todd Lott.

Peoria took a 3-2 lead in the fifth on a two-run home run by L.J. Jones. The lead increased to 5-2 in the eighth on an RBI single by Osvaldo Tovalin. The Cubs added their final run in the ninth.

LJ Jones IV

Jones was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Tovalin was 2-for-5 with two RBI. In the field, Carlos Soto had a passed ball.

Peoria is 6-13 in the second half and sits in fifth place in the Midwest League West, 8 games back of first place South Bend.

Saturday’s game:  vs South Bend, RH Wilfredo Pereira (3-4, 3.96) vs. RH Daniel Palencia, 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 2, Lakeland 1

The Palm Beach Cardinals edged the Flying Tigers by a 2-1 margin on Friday night at Roger Dean Stadium. Trent Baker started for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched 5 1/3 innings, gave up one run on six hits, fanned 10 and walked three to earn his fifth win of the season.

Trent Baker

Jose Moreno relieved Baker and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Andrew Marrero tossed the final two scoreless innings to earn his first save.

Lakeland took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Cardinals tied it up in the third. Lizandro Espinoza singled but was eliminated on a force out by Jhon Torres. Torres advanced to third on a single by Matt Chamberlain and scored on a throwing error.

Matt Chamberlain

The Cardinals took the lead 2-1 in the fifth on an RBI double by Chamberlain. On the night, Chamberlain went 3-for-4 with an RBI.

On the base paths, Espinoza and Patrick Romeri each stole a base. Chamberlain was caught stealing for the first time. In the field, Sander Mora made a throwing error.

Palm Beach is 12-7 in the second half and is in first place in the FSL East.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Lakeland, Alex Cornwell LHP (3-2, 4.20) vs. TBD 5:00 CT.

FCL Cardinals 2 at FCL Nationals 4

The Florida Complex League Cardinals (7-11) were defeated by the Nationals in the completion of the suspended contest from July 2. Alec Willis started for the Cardinals. Willis is a 2021 draft pick who had not yet pitched this season due to an injury. The right hander threw one scoreless inning with no hits and two strikeouts.

Diorys Guerrero

Diorys Guerrero was next up after Willis and he threw four scoreless innings. Edwin Nunez followed with two scoreless frames. Enrique Saldana surrendered three runs, two earned, in the eighth. Yordy Richard relieved Saldana, allowed one unearned run and got the final two outs of the inning. Saldana took the loss and a blown save.

The game had been  scoreless until the Cardinals scored in the sixth inning on an RBI triple by Roblin Heredia. The Cardinals added their second run in the seventh on a solo home by Albert Inoa.

Albert Inoa

The Nationals came back in the eighth to score four runs and take a 4-2 lead. The Cardinals were unable to answer in the ninth.

Inoa went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Heredia was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Adari Grant was 2-for-4.

In the field, Fernando Diaz dropped a foul ball, Inoa made a throwing error, and Nunez had a missed catch error. Heredia had a passed ball.

Saturday’s game:  vs. FCL Nationals, TBD vs. TBD 9:00 am CT.

DSL Cardinals 8 at DSL Giants Black 3 (seven innings)

The Dominican Summer League Cardinals (17-15) were the winners over the Giants Black by the score of 8-3 on Friday morning. Starter Alexander Beltre pitched four innings, gave up two unearned runs on six hits, struck out three and walked two.

Omar Yanez surrendered one run in two innings of relief. Yanez got the win, the 19-year-old’s first of his two-year career. Esteban Contreras tossed a scoreless seventh.

The Cardinals scored one run in the top of the first. Anyelo Encarnacion drew a leadoff walk. Arfeni Batista singled. Yordalin Pena grounded into a force out as Encarnacion scored.

The Giants quickly tied it in the home first. The Cardinals came back to retake the lead in the second on an RBI single by Encarnacion.

The Cardinals added a third run in the third on a single by Carlos Carmona. The Giants cut the lead to 3-2 in the fourth.

The Cardinals widened the lead to 6-2 in the fifth. Batista doubled. Yaisel Ramos drew a walk. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Jose Suarez plated Batista and Ramos on a double. Suarez moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on another wild pitch.

Jose Suarez

The Giants put up their third and final run in the home fifth. The Cardinals ran up the score to 8-3 in the seventh on RBI doubles by Suarez and Carmona.

Batista, Ramos, Suarez, Carmona, and Maikel Hernandez each had two hits. Suarez had three RBI. Carmona drove in two.

On the base paths, Pena stole his fifth base and Carmona swiped his second bag. In the field, Beltre made a pickoff error. Alejandro Loaiza had a passed ball.

Saturday’s game:  vs. DSL Twins, TBD vs. TBD 10:00 am CT.


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Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2022 Week 15


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – July 14, 2022

photo: Thomas Francisco (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 4-1 on Wednesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, 3B Thomas Francisco, was 3-for-3 with the only RBI in Palm Beach’s 1-0 win. Other standouts: Pedro Pages, Gordon Graceffo, Tink Hence, Ronny Oliver and Yordalin Pena.

Results from games played Wednesday, July 13.



Memphis 3 at Nashville 2

The Memphis Redbirds edged the Sounds in a 3-2 contest in Nashville on Wednesday night. Connor Thomas started for Memphis. The left hander pitched five innings, gave up two runs on five hits, struck out three and walked two to earn his fifth win of the season.

Grant Black relieved Thomas and threw a scoreless sixth. Just back from St. Louis, Zack Thompson hurled two scoreless innings. Ryan Loutos tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his first Triple-A save.

Nashville took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Memphis quickly tied it in the second on a two-run long ball by Pedro Pages. The Redbirds took a 3-2 lead in the fourth. Paul DeJong drew a walk. Alec Burleson singled and Moises Gomes walked. Pages plated DeJong on a sac fly.

Pedro Pages

The game remained at 3-2 as both bullpens held the other offense to no further runs.

The Memphis offense scored three runs on six hits. No Redbird had multiple hits. Pages’ home run was the only extra base hit and the catcher had three RBI.

On the base paths, Ben DeLuzio stole his 23rd base of the season, but was also caught stealing for the second time.

In the field, Corey Spangenberg made a throwing error. Burleson had an outfield assist at home.

Memphis is 48-38 on the season and is in second place in the International League West, 4.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Thursday’s game:  at Nashville, RHP Jake Woodford (0-2, 4.09) vs. Josh Lindblom RHP (3-4, 3.94) 7:05 CT.

Springfield 3, Tulsa 1

The Springfield Cardinals defeated the Drillers by two runs on Wednesday night at Hammons Field. Gordon Graceffo started for Springfield. The right hander pitched seven innings, gave up one run on four hits, struck out five and walked one to earn his fifth Double-A win.

Gordon Graceffo

Griffin Roberts relieved Graceffo and collected two outs with no damage. Tyler Pike tossed the final 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn his second save.

The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Masyn Winn singled and Jordan Walker drew a walk. Chase Pinder grounded into a force out and Winn scored.

Springfield added to the lead with one run in the second. Nick Dunn and Nick Raposo walked and advanced on a wild pitch. Dunn scored on a ground out by Matt Koperniak. The Cardinals plated their third run in the fourth on an RBI double by Raposo.

Tulsa tallied their only run in the fifth on a solo home run. That ended the night’s scoring.

Dunn went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Raposo and Koperniak each had an RBI.

On the base paths, Mike Antico stole two bases. Winn made a fielding error.

Springfield is 8-6 in the second half and is in first place in the Texas League North.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Tulsa, Kyle Leahy RHP (5-6, 5.89) vs. John Rooney LHP (4-2, 3.90) 7:05 CT.

Peoria 1, South Bend 11

The Peoria Chiefs were walloped by the Cubs in an 11-1 laugher at Dozer Park on Wednesday night. Edgar Manzo started for Peoria. The right hander pitched 3 2/3 innings, gave up nine runs, eight earned, on 11 hits, struck out three and walked two. Manzo took the loss, his second of the season.

Nick Trogrlic-Iverson surrendered two runs in 2 2/3 innings of relief. Enmanuel Solano tossed the final 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Cubs put up six runs in the first inning to take a big lead. South Bend added one in the third and two in the fourth to widen the tally to 9-0.

The Chiefs scored their only run in the sixth inning. Tyler Reichenborn walked. Jacob Buchberger singled. Osvaldo Tovalin singled to load the bases. Francisco Hernandez walked and Reichenborn scored.

South Bend added two more runs in the seventh for the final score of 11-1.

Peoria scored one run on five hits. Buchberger was 2-for-3. L.J. Jones had the only extra base hit, a double.

In the field, Hernandez made a throwing error.

Peoria is 5-12 in the second half and is in last place in the Midwest League West, eight games back of first place South Bend.

Thursday’s game:  vs South Bend, RHP Austin Love (5-7, 6.10) vs. LHP D.J. Herz, 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 1, Lakeland 0

The Cardinals blanked the Flying Tigers by a 1-0 score at Roger Dean Stadium on Wednesday night. Tink Hence took the mound first for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched four scoreless innings, allowed one hit, fanned eight and walked one. In his ninth start  in 2022, his pitch count of 60 was his season high.

Tink Hence

Alfredo Ruiz relieved Hence and threw one scoreless inning. Jack Ralston hurled 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Bryan Pope tossed the final 2 2/3 scoreless inning to earn his second save. Ruiz got the win, his first of the season.

The sole run of the game was scored by the Beach Birds in the third inning. Matt Chamberlain walked, stole second base, and scored on a single by Thomas Francisco.

Thomas Francisco

Francisco went 3-for-3, all singles, with an RBI, the only hits by the Cardinal offense.

On the base paths, Chamberlain stole fourth base of the season.

Palm Beach is 10-7 in the second half and is tied with St. Lucie for first place in the FSL East.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Lakeland, Carlos Guarate RHP (3-4, 3.62) vs. TBD 5:30 CT.


FCL Cardinals – Off day

The Florida Complex League Cardinals (11-14) are in fourth place, seven games behind the first place Nationals in the East Division.

Thursday’s game:  at FCL Mets, TBD vs. TBD 9:00 am CT.


DSL Cardinals 3 at DSL Mets2 0 (seven innings)

The Dominican Summer League Cardinals (15-15) blanked the Mets in a 3-0 game on Wednesday morning. Ronny Oliver started for the Cardinals. The right hander pitched four scoreless innings, allowed two hits, struck out one and walked two.

Ronny Oliver

Diego Dominguez relieved Oliver and threw two scoreless innings to earn his fourth win. Miguel Martinez tossed a scoreless seventh for his third save.

The game was scoreless until the last inning. The Cardinals put up three runs in the top of the seventh to take the lead 3-0. Yaisel Ramos drew a walk. Arfeni Batista singled and Ramos went to third. Batista stole second base. Yordalin Pena singled to plate Ramos and Batista. Pena advanced to third and scored on three wild pitches.

Yordalin Pena

No Cardinal had multiple hits. The two runs scored on four hits, all singles by four different Cardinals, including Batista and Pena.

On the base paths, Batista stole his second base of the season. In the field, Alejandro Loaiza made two missed catch errors. Dominquez picked a runner off first base.

Thursday’s game:  vs. DSL Mariners, TBD vs. TBD 10:00 am CT.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – July 13, 2022

photo: Malcom Nunez (Springfield Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 3-3 on Tuesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is Springfield 1B Malcom Nunez, who was 3-for-4 with three RBI. Other standouts include L.J. Jones, Inohan Paniagua, Jeremy Ramos and Marcelo Perez.

Results from games played Tuesday, July 12.



Memphis 2 at Nashville 1

The Memphis Redbirds sneaked by the Sounds with a 2-1 win in Nashville on Tuesday night. Steven Matz made his final rehab start with Memphis. The left hander pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings with two hits allowed, seven strikeouts and two walks.

Steven Matz

Zach McAllister relieved Matz and finished the fifth. Garrett Williams surrendered one run in 2 2/3 innings of relief. Jacob Bosiokovic got the final out of the eighth. Freddy Pacheco tossed a scoreless ninth for his second save. McAllister received the win.

Memphis scored itstwo runs in the second inning. Ivan Herrera singled, Corey Spangenberg singled, and Evan Mendoza plated Herrera on a single. Spangenberg scored on a single by Ben DeLuzio.

The Redbirds led 2-0 until the eighth inning when Nashville scratched across a run on three walks and a hit by pitch.

Herrera was 2-for-3 and Alec Burleson was 2-for-4.

Memphis is 47-38 on the season and is tied for second place with Columbus in the International League West, 5.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Wednesday’s game:  at Nashville, LHP Connor Thomas (4-3, 4.67) vs. Ethan Small LHP (6-3, 3.19) 7:05 CT.

Springfield 7, Tulsa 6

The Springfield Cardinals edged the Drillers in a one run contest at Hammons Field on Tuesday night. Starter Michael McGreevy pitched five innings, gave up two runs on three hits, struck out three and walked two to earn his fifth win at Double-A.

Johan Quezada relieved McGreevy and threw two scoreless innings. Logan Gragg struggled, surrendering four runs in 1 1/3 innings of relief. Dalton Roach got the final two outs of the ninth to earn his second save.

Springfield took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Mike Antico led off with a walk, stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Chase Pinder walked. Malcom Nunez plated Antico on a single. Nick Dunn singled to score Pinder.

Tulsa tied the game at 2-2 in the second. The Cardinals took the lead back in the third on an RBI single by Nunez. Julio Rodriguez thumped a solo home run in the sixth to make it 4-2.

The Drillers got close again in the eighth, cutting the gap to 4-3. The Cardinals wasted no time in widening their lead in the home half of the eighth. Nunez’ solo home run made it 5-3. Two more runs scored in the inning on a Justin Toerner sac fly and a Masyn Winn sacrifice double play.

Malcom Nuñez

Tulsa was not done however, as they rallied for three runs but fell short of the runs needed.

Nunez went 3-for-4 with three RBI. Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Matt Koperniak was 2-for-4.

Antico and Pinder each stole two bases.

Springfield is 7-6 in the second half and is tied with Arkansas for first place in the Texas League North.

Wednesday’s game:  vs Tulsa, Gordon Graceffo RHP (4-1, 3.50) vs. Gavin Stone RHP (5-2, 1.29) 6:35 CT.

Peoria 0, South Bend 6

The Peoria Chiefs were blanked by the Cubs in a 6-0 contest at Dozer Park on Tuesday night. Dionys Rodriguez started for Peoria. The right hander pitched five innings, gave up three runs on 10 hits, struck out six and walked one. Rodriguez took the loss, his 10th of the season.

Levi Prater relieved and surrendered two runs in the sixth. Chris Roycroft allowed one run in two innings of relief. Colin Schmid tossed a scoreless ninth.

South Bend put up one run in the first inning and two runs in the second to take a 3-0 lead. The Cubs added two more in the sixth and their final run in the eighth. The Chiefs offense was held scoreless and were only able to scatter four hits. They struck out 14 times, were 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base.

LJ Jones IV

L.J. Jones had three of Peoria’s four hits. Tyler Reichenborn had the other. All four were singles.

On the base paths, Reichenborn stole his 13th base of the season. He also had an outfield assist at home.

Peoria is 5-11 in the second half and is in last place in the Midwest League West, 7 games back of first place South Bend.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. South Bend, RHP Edgar Marzo (3-1, 4.83) vs. RHP Kohl Franklin. 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 1, Lakeland 2

The Palm Beach Cardinals were edged by the Flying Tigers in a Tuesday night contest at Roger Dean Stadium. Starter Inohan Paniagua, the reigning Florida State League Pitcher of the Week, threw eight scoreless innings with one hit allowed and eight punchouts.

Inohan Paniagua

Gustavo Rodriguez surrendered two runs in the ninth and took the loss. He was also tagged with the blown save.

The Beach Birds scored their one and only run in the third inning. Lizandro Espinoza led off with a double. Adanson Cruz advanced Espinoza to third on a ground out. Matt Chamberlain plated Espinoza on a sac fly.

Aaron McKeithan was 3-for-4, Jeremy Rivas was 2-for-4 and Thomas Francisco was 2-for-3.

Palm Beach is 9-7 in the second half and is in first place in the FSL East.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Lakeland, Tink Hence RHP (0-1, 1.16) vs. TBD 5:30 CT.

FCL Cardinals 1, FCL Mets 4 (seven innings)

The Florida Complex League Cardinals (11-14) were defeated by the Mets by the score of 4-1 on Tuesday morning at Roger Dean Stadium. Benjamin Arias started for the Cardinals. The right hander pitched 4 1/3 innings, gave up two runs, one earned, on three hits, struck out four and walked one. Arias took the loss, his second of the season.

Americo Lugo relieved Arias with one out in the fifth and surrendered one unearned run. He got the final two outs of the inning. Angel Cuenca allowed one run in 2/3 innings. Edwin Nunez tossed the final 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The game was scoreless until the fifth inning when the Mets put up three runs to take the lead. The Cardinals answered with their only run of the game in the home half of the fifth. Javier Bolivar walked and scored on a single by Adari Grant and a fielding error.

The Mets added a run in the sixth for the final score of 4-1.

The Cardinals offense scored one run on six hits. The only Cardinal with multiple hits was Jeremy Ramos, who was 2-for-3. Ramos also stole his fourth base of the season.

Jeremy Ramos

In the field, Grant made a throwing error. Felix Taveras had an outfield assist at third base. Roblin Heredia had a passed ball.

Wednesday’s game:  Off.

DSL Cardinals 13, DSL Diamondbacks Black 6

The Dominican Summer League Cardinals (14-15) blasted the Diamondbacks Black by the score of 13-6 in a Tuesday morning contest. Starter Juan Salas pitched 4 2/3 innings, gave up two runs on four hits, fanned eight and walked one.

Junior Chirinos relieved Salas and surrendered one run in 1 1/3 innings to earn his first win. Jovi Galvez threw a scoreless seventh. Oliver Lopez started the eighth and allowed three runs without recording an out. Yordy Herrera relieved Lopez and tossed the final two scoreless innings.

The Cardinals offense burst out of the gate with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. The runs scored on three long balls. They were solo shots by Jonathan Mejia and Yordalin Pena, and a two run home run by Miguel Vargas.

In the second inning the Cardinals added a run when Pena singled and scored on a double by Justin Guerrero. Three additional runs came home in the third. Yancel Guerrero walked, Keshawn Rombley and Marcelo Perez singled. All three runners scored on a double by Elias Reynoso.

The Cardinals continued to score multiple runs with four in the fourth. Justin Guerrero doubled. Carlos Carmona walked. Yancel Guerrero singled to load the bases. Perez tripled to plate Carmona and both Guerreros. Perez scored on a Mejia single.

Marcelo Perez

The Diamondbacks finally got on the board with two runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth. The Cardinals added one run in the home half of the sixth on an RBI single by Rombley. That was the final run of the game for the Cardinals.

The Diamondbacks rallied for three more in the eighth but failed to add on.

Rombley went 3-for-5 with an RBI. Mejia was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Pena was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Justin Guerrero was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Yancel Guerrero was 2-for-3 with three runs scored. Perez was 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Reynoso drove in three and Vargas had two RBI.

Wednesday’s game:  at DSL Mets2, TBD vs. TBD 10:00 am CT.


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Palm Beach Cardinals Notebook – 2022 Week 14


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St. Louis Cardinals Major League Notebook – Week of July 4-10

photo: Paul Goldschmidt (Joe Puetz/USA TODAY Sports)

The St. Louis Cardinals were shut out three times during a 2-5 week against two Eastern foes. All-Star starter Paul Goldschmidt remains the only consistent bright spot for the slumping offense. Our Blast from the Past recounts key events this past week in Cardinals history.



Game recaps

Monday, July 4 – Cardinals 3 at Braves 6

The St. Louis Cardinals began a four-game series against the Braves at Truist Park with a 6-3 loss on Monday. Dakota Hudson started and pitched four innings, gave up six runs on nine hits, struck out two and walked three. Hudson took the loss, his fifth of the season.

Johan Oviedo relieved and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings. James Naile closed it out with 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Braves got on the board in the first inning with a 1-0 lead. Atlanta added five in the second.

The Cardinals finally answered by scratching out one run in the fourth. Nolan Gorman singled and Juan Yepez followed with a single. Dylan Carlson reached on a force out with a missed catch error. Conner Capel’s sac fly scored Gorman.

St. Louis put up two more scores in the sixth on solo home runs by Yepez and Capel.

Yepez was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Nolan Arenado was 2-for-5. Capel had two RBI.

Tuesday, July 5 – Cardinals 1 at Braves 7

The Cardinals fared worse in the second game of the series, losing by six runs in Atlanta. Andre Pallante started for St. Louis. The right hander pitched 3 2/3 innings, gave up seven runs on 10 hits and fanned five. Pallante took the loss, his fourth of the season.

Packy Naughton relieved and threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Junior Fernandez and Zack Thompson each tossed a scoreless frame.

The Cardinals scored their only run of the game in the first inning. Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado singled. Nolan Gorman singled to plate Goldschmidt.

In the home first, the Braves put up five runs against Pallante. They increased their lead with two more in the fourth, knocking Pallante out of the game. St. Louis’ bullpen held off further scoring but the damage was done.

Arenado went 2-for-3. Gorman had the only RBI. The offense left 12 runners stranded on nine total hits and were 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

In the field, Gorman made a throwing error.

Wednesday, July 6 – Cardinals 0 at Braves 3

The losing continued at Truist Park for the Cardinals, with this shutout. Miles Mikolas, the leading recipient in the rotation of no run support from the offense, pitched six innings and gave up three runs on five hits, struck out four and walked one. The loss was the seventh of the season for the right hander.

Zack Thompson relieved Mikolas and threw a scoreless seventh. Giovanny Gallegos tossed a scoreless eighth.

The Braves scored their three runs in the fifth and sixth innings. The scoreless Cardinal offense scattered seven hits, including doubles by Paul Goldschmidt and Albert Pujols.

Thursday, July 7 – Cardinals 3 at Braves 2 (11 innings)

The Cardinals finally scratched out a win in the series final contest, an 11 inning fight that ended in a one run victory and avoided the four game sweep at home.

Matthew Liberatore started and pitched four scoreless innings, allowed three hits, struck out four and walked three. Jordan Hicks followed with two scoreless frames.

Giovanny Gallegos surrendered the first Braves run in the seventh and was tagged with a blown save, his fifth on the season. Junior Fernandez and Ryan Helsley combined to throw the next three scoreless innings, with Helsley awarded the win. Packy Naughton earned his first save with a scoreless 11th.

The game was a pitchers’ duel for the first six innings. The Cardinals finally broke through in the top of the seventh with a run that began with a Nolan Gorman double. Dylan Carlson followed with a single, and Albert Pujols plated Gorman with a sac fly.

The Braves immediately tied the game in the home seventh. The game remained knotted at 1-1 through regulation. In the top of the 10th the Cardinals broke the stalemate with a second sac fly run, this time by Juan Yepez.

Atlanta wasted no time in tying the game again in the bottom of the 10th. In the 11th, ghost runner Nolan Arenado scored on back to back singles by Gorman and Carlson. This time the bullpen held the Braves in check and the Cardinals took home their 3-2 win.

Dylan Carlson

Carlson, who didn’t start, went 3-for-3 with an RBI. Gorman was 2-for-5. Pujols and Yepez had RBI.

On the base paths, Goldschmidt stole his fourth base of the season. In the field, Carlson had an outfield assist at first base.

Cardinals hitters fanned 19 times and left 11 runners on base, but the team still found a way to win.

Friday, July 8 – Cardinals 0, Phillies 2

The Cardinals suffered their second shutout of the week in a 2-0 loss to the Phillies on Friday at Busch Stadium. Adam Wainwright went the distance with no run support. The right hander gave up two runs on five hits including two solo home runs with three punchouts and no walks in those nine innings.

The Cardinals offense scattered six hits, with Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado both going 2-for-4. There were no extra base hits. The Cards were 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.

Saturday, July 9 – Cardinals 0, Phillies 1

The third shutout of the week for the Cardinals occurred on Saturday. Another pitching duel ensued, this one between Dakota Hudson and Kyle Gibson. Hudson went six scoreless innings on two hits, four strikeouts and two walks.

Dakota Hudson

Genesis Cabrera, Jordan Hicks, and Ryan Helsley combined for the next two scoreless innings. Hicks pitched to one batter to end the seventh inning.

Eight innings had transpired with no runs scored on either side. The Phillies ended the game of chicken with a run against Giovanny Gallegos in the ninth, which the Cardinals failed to answer. It was Gallegos’ third loss this season.

The Cardinals had just two hits, a double by Lars Nootbaar and an Andrew Knizner single. Six runners were left on base. Paul Goldschmidt stole his fifth base.

Sunday, July 10 – Cardinals 4, Phillies 3

The Cardinals were able to grind through to a win in this third game of the series with the Phillies. The fourth and final game of the series will be played on Monday.

Andre Pallante took the mound for St. Louis. The right hander pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up three runs on nine hits, struck out four and walked one.

Johan Oviedo relieved and threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Jordan Hicks hurled a scoreless eighth and received the win, his second. Ryan Helsley earned his seventh save with a 1-2-3 ninth.

The Phillies scored first with one run in the first inning. The Cardinals tied it at 1-1 in the second on singles by Nolan Arenado, Albert Pujols and Lars Nootbaar, with Pujols scoring.

The Phillies took the 2-1 lead in the fourth and added another in the fifth to go up by two. In the sixth, Pujols hit his 684th career home run to cut the lead to 3-2.

Albert Pujols

St. Louis tied it at 3-3 in the seventh when Austin Romine singled, Tommy Edman doubled, and Romine scored on a ground out by Nolan Gorman.

The Cardinals went ahead 4-3 in the eighth. Pujols singled and Edmundo Sosa singled. Dylan Carlson pinch ran for Pujols. Pinch hitter Paul Goldschmidt was walked to load the bases. Edman hit a fly ball to shallow center field, and Carlson was able to get his hand on the plate before the tag to score the winning run.

Pujols had a 3-for-4 day at the plate including a home run. Nootbaar, Edman and Gorman each had an RBI.

NL Central Standings

Team W L Pct GB
Milwaukee 48 39 0.552
St. Louis 46 42 0.523 2.5
Pittsburgh 36 50 0.419 11.5
Chicago 34 52 0.405 13.5
Cincinnati 32 54 0.372 15.5

The Big Picture

The Cardinals ended the week with a record of 2-5, having lost 3 of 4 to the Braves, and losing 2 of 3 to the Phillies. The Phillies series is not over, with the fourth game on Monday. It is possible for the Cardinals to earn a split of this series.

The offense over the past week (and even before that) has hit the skids. The Cardinals are currently playing an ugly stretch of baseball. The Cardinals are 3-7 so far in the month of July.

The offense scored 11 total runs over the last seven games, which includes being shut out three times. For the first time in a long time this season the offense has actually been worse than the pitching.

Of the three players with an OPS over .800 over the last seven days, only one is a starting player. They are Albert Pujols (1.400 in 10 ABs), Lars Nootbaar (.944 in 8 ABs) and Paul Goldschmidt (.853 in 22 ABs). Nolan Arenado is next with a .753 OPS in 25 ABs. Edmundo Sosa is at the bottom with an OPS of .170. Tommy Edman has taken a nosedive at the plate with an OPS of .205.

Paul Goldschmidt

As for pitching, relievers have been performing better than starters. The bullpen has been lights out over the last week for the first time all season. This is helped by the fact that the worst relievers over the season are either on the injured list or are no longer on the team. Nick Wittgren was released and T.J. McFarland and Drew VerHagen are both pitching on rehab assignments. The worst reliever over the last week has been Giovanny Gallegos, with an ERA of 6.00 in three appearances. Gallegos has been going through a tough stretch recently.

The rotation has not been as good. Matthew Liberatore, who has been struggling in his various starts up and down from Memphis, had his best start this past week, a four inning scoreless outing against the Braves. Adam Wainwright pitched a complete game against the Phillies with two runs allowed. After that it is Miles Mikolas (4.50 ERA in one start), Dakota Hudson (5.40 ERA in two starts) and Andre Pallante (9.64 ERA in two starts). To be fair, Hudson’s most recent start was very good.

The team begins the final week of play before the All-Star break. It would be very nice if the offense woke up. It is going to be a brutal week coming, with one more game with the Phillies, three games with the Dodgers and three games with the Reds, who have been playing very well of late and will be gunning for the Cardinals for sure (as they always do).

The offense will likely see some very tough pitching. One of the best starters in the NL, Tony Gonsolin, will be pitching for the Dodgers on Wednesday. The team will miss Clayton Kershaw. None of the Dodgers pitchers are bad so the offense has to be ready.

The Cardinals might get Tyler O’Neill back before the break but not Harrison Bader. The rotation could get Steven Matz back soon, but he likely won’t pitch before the break as he has one more rehab start scheduled, unless something changes. The Brewers have lost their last two games, so the Cardinals are keeping pace by sheer force of luck and are currently 2.5 games back.

Cardinals sending four to Midsummer Classic

The complete selections for the All-Star Game rosters were announced on Sunday evening and the Cardinals will be sending four players to the Midsummer Classic this year.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt’s selection as a starter via the fan vote was already known prior to Sunday as was the naming of Albert Pujols as a legacy selection by the Commissioner’s office (along with Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera).

Nolan Arenado

On Sunday, Cardinals fans learned that third baseman Nolan Arenado was selected as a reserve, and reliever Ryan Helsley will be on the NL staff. Both Arenado and Helsley are having great a seasons so far in 2022. Arenado was named the NL Player of the Month in April, and Helsley is one of the best relievers in the NL in the first half, with seven saves, a batting average against of .107 and an ERA of only 0.73.

Ryan Helsley

The All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 19 at 7 pm CT at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Trade and Acquisition Rumors

There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.

Transactions

  • 7/4 The Cardinals optioned C Ivan Herrera to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 7/4 The Cardinals selected the contract of C Austin Romine from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 7/4 The Cardinals sent LF Tyler O’Neill on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 7/6 The Cardinals sent LHP T.J. McFarland on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 7/6 The Cardinals sent RHP Drew VerHagen on a rehab assignment to the Peoria Chiefs.
  • 7/6 The Cardinals sent LF Corey Dickerson on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 7/8 The Cardinals optioned RHP James Naile to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 7/8 The Cardinals activated LHP Genesis Cabrera from the 10-day injured list.
  • 7/8 The Cardinals designated RHP Angel Rondon for assignment.
  • 7/9 The Cardinals optioned OF Conner Capel to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 7/9 The Cardinals released RHP Nick Wittgren.
  • 7/9 The Cardinals activated LF Corey Dickerson from the 10-day injured list.

Injury Report

  • RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) remains on the 60 day IL. The right hander received a second opinion and has had surgery on the shoulder. Whether the injury is season-ending is yet to be determined.
  • LHP Steven Matz (left shoulder stiffness) continues his rehab and will make one more rehab assignment before he is reinstated.
  • OF Corey Dickerson (left calf strain) was activated from the 10-day injured list and played in Saturday’s game against the Phillies.
  • C Yadier Molina (right knee inflammation) was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 17, retroactive to June 16. Molina is rehabbing in Puerto Rico. No date for Molina’s return has been specified, but the team is encouraging him to rejoin them.
  • LF Tyler O’Neill (left hamstring strain) was placed on the injured list on June 20. The outfielder was expected to be reinstated for the Phillies series but was held back due to swelling on his left wrist from being hit by a pitch during his last rehab appearance. No fracture was detected on X-ray, but further testing is being done.
  • LHP T.J. McFarland was placed on the Covid injured list after testing positive for Covid-19. The left hander is currently on a rehab assignment.
  • RHP Drew VerHagen was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 24 with a right shoulder impingement. The right hander is on rehab assignment with the Peoria Chiefs.
  • LHP Genesis Cabrera has been activated from the Covid IL.
  • RHP Jack Flaherty was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 27. Right shoulder strain. Flaherty was removed early from his last start due to “dead arm.” Flaherty is out until after the All-Star Game and likely longer.
  • CF Harrison Bader was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 27. Right foot plantar fasciitis. The outfielder has been going through conditioning and light baseball activity. He is still bothered by lingering pain in the foot and is likely not returning until after the All-Star break.
  • IF/OF Brendan Donovan was not in the lineup for Saturday’s and Sunday’s games due to an undisclosed illness. A test for Covid-19 will likely be done. No date for Donovan’s return has been reported.

Looking Ahead

The Cardinals continue their four game home series against the Phillies. The series ends on Monday.

The homestand continues with three vs. the Dodgers, followed by a weekend series against the Reds before the start of the All-Star break on Monday, July 18.

After the break, the Cardinals travel to Cincinnati for a weekend set with the Reds. The team travels to Toronto to face the Blue Jays on Tuesday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 27.

After a travel day on July 28, the Cardinals play a weekend series in Washington, DC against the Nationals.

The Cardinals will return to St. Louis to begin a six-game homestand with the Cubs and the Yankees to begin the month of August.

The regular season schedule can be found here.

Blast from the Past

This week’s Blast from the Past continues the theme of looking at a time period in St. Louis Cardinals history for notable events that occurred during that period. The month of July historically has been a month for two particular types of events, the All-Star Game, and the trade deadline.

This week we take a look at the time period July 4 through July 10. The day and year of the event is noted, and a description follows.

July 4, 2000 – Keith McDonald becomes the third player in St. Louis Cardinals history to hit a home run in his first major league at bat.

July 4, 2008 – Albert Pujols hits his 300th career home run in a game against the Chicago Cubs.

Frankie Frisch

July 5, 1930 – In a 6-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds, Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch ties the NL record for chances in a game at 16.

July 5, 1954 – Cardinals RF Stan Musial outpolls all other National League players in the All-Star balloting.

July 5, 1961 – Cardinals 1B Bill White hits three home runs and a double in a 9-1 win over the Dodgers.

July 5, 2009 – Albert Pujols is the top vote-getter in the National League for the All-Star Game. St. Louis is the host city for this Midsummer Classic.

July 6, 1911 – The Cardinals and the Phillies combine to issue 23 walks, tying the record from the previous season. St. Louis pitchers walked 13, including eight in the third inning alone.

July 6, 1929 –The Cardinals defeat the Phillies 28-6 in the second game of a doubleheader at the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia. This game still holds the record for the largest blowout in Cardinals franchise history.

July 6, 1933 – The Cardinals send four players to the very first All-Star Game – Frankie Frisch, Bill Hallahan, Pepper Martin and Jim Wilson.

July 6, 1990 – Manager Whitey Herzog resigns and is replaced by interim manager Red Schoendienst.

July 6, 1990 – Keith McDonald hits a home run in his second major league at bat, becoming the second player in major league history to do so.

Ducky Medwick and Dizzy Dean

July 7, 1936 – Joe Medwick hits a home run and pitcher Dizzy Dean gets the win in the All-Star Game, the first time the National League wins the Midsummer Classic.

Chick Hafey

July 7, 1963 – Red Schoendienst plays in his last major league game.

July 8, 1969 – Bob Gibson pitches his 150th complete game in a 6-3 win over the Braves.

July 9, 1929 – Chick Hafey ties a NL record with 10 consecutive hits over two games.

July 9, 1957 – The Sporting News selects Stan Musial as the “Player of the Decade” for the period 1946-1956.

July 10, 1951 – Stan Musial contributes one of four home runs by a National League player to help defeat the American League in the All-Star Game in Detroit.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – July 9, 2022

photo: Matt Koperniak (Springfield Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system went 3-3 on Friday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is Springfield LF Matt Koperniak, who was 3-for-5 with three RBI. Other standouts include Austin Love, Patrick Romeri, Lizandro Espinoza and Jose Suarez.

Results from games played Friday, July 8.



Memphis 0 at Durham 13

The Memphis Redbirds were blanked by the Bulls in a shellacking in Durham on Friday night for a third consecutive loss. Reliever Ryan Loutos start after Angel Rondon was designated for assignment earlier in the day. Loutos lasted 1 1/3 innings during which he gave up three runs on three hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

Kyle Ryan followed and surrendered four runs in 1 2/3 innings. Brandon Waddell allowed two runs in his two innings of relief. Rehabbing T.J McFarland was the only Redbirds pitcher who came out unscathed, as he hurled a scoreless sixth. Grant Black gave up two runs, one earned, in the seventh. Jacob Bosiokovic relinquished two runs in the eighth.

Durham scored runs in every inning but the fourth and the sixth. The Bulls put up one run in the first, four runs in the second, two runs in the third, two runs in the fifth, two runs in the seventh and two runs in the eighth. Five Bulls hit six long balls off every Memphis pitcher except McFarland.

The Redbirds were held to five hits including a double by Ben DeLuzio. The offense was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and they left seven runners on base. Memphis hitters struck out 11 times.

In the field, Irving Lopez made a throwing error.

Memphis is 44-38 on the season and is in third place in the International League West, 7.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Saturday’s game:  at Durham, RHP Tommy Parsons (5-2, 4.29) vs. RHP Easton McGee, 5:35 CT.

Springfield 8 at Arkansas 2

The visiting Springfield Cardinals defeated the Travelers by the score of 8-2 on Friday night. Kyle Leahy took the mound for Springfield. The right hander pitched five innings, gave up two runs on four hits, fanned seven and walked three to earn his fifth win of the season.

Domingo Robles finished the game with four scoreless innings.

Domingo Robles

The Cardinals took the lead with three runs in the first inning. Mike Antico walked. Masyn Winn singled and Jordan Walker followed with a single. Malcom Nunez plated Antico and Winn on a single. Walker scored on a single by Matt Koperniak.

The Travelers put up one run in the second and one run in the fourth. Springfield increased the lead to 6-2 in the fifth on an RBI double by Koperniak, a balk, and a single by Antico.

The Cardinals added a run in the sixth. Justin Toerner walked and scored on a force out by Koperniak. The final run scored in the seventh on an RBI single by Walker.

Matt Koperniak

Koperniak went 3-for-5 with three RBI. Nunez was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Antico was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Walker was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Nick Raposo was 2-for-5.

On the base paths, Antico stole his sixth base for Springfield. Walker was caught stealing for the fourth time. Roberto Baldoquin was picked off first base.

Springfield is 5-5 in the second half and is in second place in the Texas League North, one game back of first place Arkansas.

Saturday’s game:  at Arkansas, Connor Lunn RHP (2-3, 5.70) vs. Emerson Hancock RHP (1-2, 2.55) 7:05 CT.

Peoria 4, Beloit 0

The Peoria Chiefs blanked the Sky Carp on Friday night at Dozer Park. Drew VerHagen, on a rehab assignment from St. Louis, pitched one scoreless inning, allowed one hit, struck out one and walked one.

Austin Love relieved VerHagen and threw seven scoreless innings on just two hits. Levi Prater tossed a scoreless ninth.

Austin Love

Peoria went up 1-0 in the second inning. L.J. Jones doubled and scored on a ground out by Noah Mendlinger. The Chiefs added a second run in the third on an RBI single by Jacob Buchberger.

The score increased to 3-0 in the fifth. Todd Lott doubled, and Jones plated him on a single. In the sixth Peoria added their fourth and final run on an RBI single by Tommy Jew.

Jones was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Lott was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

On the base paths, Tyler Reichenborn stole his 12th base of the season.

Peoria is 5-8 in the second half and is in fourth place in the Midwest League West, five games back of first place South Bend.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Beloit, RHP Zane Mills (2-6,4.27) vs. Evan Fitterer RHP (2-4, 4.87) 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 4 at Jupiter 5 (10 innings)

The Palm Beach Cardinals were edged by the Hammerheads in an extra inning contest at Roger Dean Stadium on Friday. Bryan Pope started for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched 4 1/3 innings, gave up three runs on seven hits, struck out one and walked three.

Hayes Heinecke relieved and pitched 1/3 scoreless innings. Gustavo Rodriguez surrendered one run in 3 1/3 innings. Nelfri Contreras allowed one unearned run in the final 1 1/3 innings. Contreras took the loss.

The Beach Birds took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Patrick Romeri tripled and scored on a ground out by Elijah Cabell. The Cardinals added one run in the third on an RBI single by Aaron McKeithan. Palm Beach increased the lead to 3-1 in the fourth. Jesus Orrechia doubled and scored on a throwing error.

Patrick Romeri

Jupiter scored their first run in the home half of the fourth. The Cardinals increased the lead to 4-1 in the fifth on an RBI single by Leonardo Bernal.

The Hammerheads scored two in the bottom of the fifth to make it 4-3. Jupiter tied the game in eighth. The game went into the 10th, and the Hammerheads walked it off in the bottom of the inning.

Romeri went 4-for-5, falling a home run short of the cycle. Jeremy Rivas was 2-for-4. Bernal drove in one.

On the base paths, Rivas stole his eighth base of the season.

Palm Beach is 9-4 in the second half and is in first place in the FSL East.

Saturday’s game:  at Jupiter, Trent Baker RHP (4-6, 2.96) vs. TBD 5:00 CT.

FSL Cardinals 9, FCL Astros Orange 7

The Florida Complex League Cardinals (10-12) outlasted the Astros with a two-run win in Jupiter on Friday morning. Starter Johan Quezada pitched two scoreless innings with no hits and three strikeouts.

Diorys Guerrero surrendered one run three innings of relief. Ludwin Jimenez allowed two runs in the sixth. Angel Cuenca started the seventh and relinquished three runs while recording only one out. Yordy Richard gave up one run in 1 2/3 innings. Ettore Guilianelli tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his first save. Guerrero got the win.

The Cardinals jumped ahead immediately with seven runs scored in the first inning. Lizandro Espinoza drew a walk and Jose Cordoba followed with a walk. Carlos Linarez reached on an error and Espinoza scored. Cordoba scored on a wild pitch. Samil De La Rosa reached on an error. Francis Reynoso singled. Roblin Heredia walked and Linarez scored. Romtres Cabrera was hit by a pitch to score De La Rosa. Reynoso scored on a wild pitch. Adari Grant walked. Espinoza grounded into a force out and Cabrera was out at third. Grant scored on a single by Cordoba.

The Astros scored one run in the fifth to make it 7-1. The Cardinals added two in the home half of the fifth to increase the lead to 9-1 on an RBI single by Grant and a balk.

The Astros chipped away at the lead with two runs in the sixth, three runs in the seventh, and one run in the eighth. The Cardinals bullpen held the slim lead for the remainder of the game.

Lizandro Espinoza

The offense was spread out as no Cardinal had multiple hits and the team scored their nine runs on just five hits. Eight walks received were a big reason why, including three taken by Espinoza. Espinoza, Cordoba, Heredia, Cabrera, and Grant each had an RBI. Reynoso and Heredia scored twice each.

On the base paths, Cabrera stole two bases. In the field, De La Rosa made a fielding error.

Saturday’s game:  at FSL Marlins, TBD vs. TBD 9:00 am CT.

DSL Cardinals 2, DSL Nationals 3

The Dominican Summer League Cardinals (12-14) were topped by the Nationals in a 3-2 contest on Friday morning. Alexander Beltre started for the Cardinals. The left hander pitched five innings, gave up one run on five hits, fanned six and walked one.

Yordy Herrera surrendered two runs in two innings of relief. Diego Dominquez allowed one run in the final 1 2/3 innings and took the loss, his first of the season.

The Nationals took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Cardinals tied it 1-1 in the third. Elias Reynoso walked and scored on a triple by Jose Suarez.

Jose Suarez

The Nationals retook the lead with one run in the seventh to make it 2-1. The Cardinals scored one in the top of the ninth to knot it up 2-2 on an RBI single by Miguel Vargas. In the home half of the ninth, the Nationals walked it off with one run scored to win 3-2.

Suarez went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Both hits for Suarez were extra base hits. Vargas had an RBI.

Saturday’s game:  vs. DSL D-Backs Black, TBD vs. TBD 9:00 am CT.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – July 7, 2022

photo: Michael McGreevy (Springfield Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 2-3 on Wednesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Springfield starter Michael McGreevy, pitched six scoreless innings, on five hits, five strikeouts and one walk. Other standouts: Evan Mendoza, Chase Pinder and Patrick Romeri.

Results from games played Wednesday, July 6.



Memphis 5 at Durham 10

The Memphis Redbirds were trounced by the Durham Bulls in a 10-5 road contest on Wednesday night. Garrett Williams started for Memphis. The left hander pitched 2 2/3 innings, gave up seven runs, three earned, on six hits, struck out two and walked two. Williams took the loss, his second in two starts since his promotion from Springfield.

Another relatively new Redbird, Ryan Loutos, threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings. T. J. McFarland, rehabbing for St. Louis, hurled a scoreless fifth. Kyle Ryan surrendered two runs in the sixth. Brandon Waddell allowed one run in the seventh. Jacob Bosiokovic tossed a scoreless eighth.

Memphis took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Ben DeLuzio singled and rehabbing St. Louis outfielder Corey Dickerson singled. Tyler O’Neill, also rehabbing, was hit by a pitch. Ivan Herrera grounded into a force out and DeLuzio scored. Luken Baker flied into a double play as Dickerson scored.

Durham put up seven runs in the third inning to take a 7-2 lead. The Bulls added two more in the sixth for a 9-2 lead. The Redbirds plated two runs in the seventh on a solo home run by Evan Mendoza and an RBI single by O’Neill.

Evan Mendoza

The Bulls made it 10-4 in the home half of the seventh. Memphis scored one more run in the eighth when Clint Coulter doubled, advanced to third on a ground out, and scored on a passed ball.

DeLuzio was 2-for-4. No other Redbird had multiple hits. Mendoza homered and walked twice. Baker, Herrera and O’Neill each had an RBI.

In the field, shortstop Mendoza and third baseman Delvin Perez each had a fielding error.

Memphis has a record of 44-36 and is in third place in the International League West, 5.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Thursday’s game:  at Durham, TBD (likely LHP Steven Matz on rehab) vs. RHP Tommy Romero, 5:35 CT.

Springfield 9 at Arkansas 5

The Springfield Cardinals defeated the Arkansas Travelers in an afternoon road contest on Wednesday. Michael McGreevy started for Springfield. The right hander pitched six scoreless innings, allowed five hits, fanned five and walked one to earn his fourth win at Double-A.

Michael McGreevy

Newcomer Logan Gragg threw two scoreless innings of relief. Michael Brettell surrendered five runs in 2/3 innings. Dalton Roach got the final out of the ninth to earn his first save.

The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the first on a solo home run by Masyn Winn and an RBI single by Chase Pinder.

In the second the Cardinals put up seven runs to increase the lead to 9-0. Nick Dunn doubled before Justin Toerner and Julio Rodriguez walked. Mike Antico plated Dunn on a walk. Winn singled and Toerner scored. June Player of the Month Malcom Nunez drove in Rodriguez and Antico on a double. Pinder followed with a three-run home run to left field.

Chase Pinder

The score remained 9-0 until Arkansas scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth.

Winn went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Pinder was 2-for-4 with four RBI. Nunez drove in two.

Springfield is 4-4 in the second half and is in third place in the Texas League North, one game back of first place Arkansas.

Thursday’s game:  at Arkansas, RHP Gordon Graceffo (4-1, 3.07) vs. Stephen Kolek RHP (4-7, 4.91) 6:35 CT.

Peoria 1, Beloit 8

The Chiefs lost to the Sky Carp in an 8-1 game on Wednesday night at Dozer Park. St. Louis’ Drew VerHagen, rehabbing with Peoria, started and pitched one scoreless inning with no hits, no strikeouts and no walks.

Regular starter Dionys Rodriguez took over in the second and surrendered two runs in four innings. Nick Trogrlic-Iverson threw a scoreless sixth. Nathanael Heredia allowed four runs in his two innings of work. Colin Schmid relinquished two unearned runs in the ninth. Rodriguez took the loss, his ninth of the season.

Beloit scored one run in each of the second and third innings to go up 2-0. In the sixth, Peoria scored their only run of the game on a solo home run by Todd Lott.

Todd Lott

The Sky Carp added four runs in the seventh and two runs in the ninth to turn a close game into a rout.

Peoria scored one run on four hits. In addition to the Lott long ball, Brady Whalen doubled. Carlos Soto and Ramon Mendoza singled.

Francisco Hernandez made a throwing error. Lott had an outfield assist at home.

Peoria is 3-8 in the second half and is in last place in the Midwest League West, six games back of first place South Bend.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Beloit, RHP Edgar Manzo (2-1, 5.40) vs. Pat Monteverde LHP (2-2, 2.73) 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 6 at Jupiter 4

As the away team, the Cardinals beat the Hammerheads by the score of 6-4 in a Wednesday night contest at Roger Dean Stadium. Tink Hence started for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings on 49 pitches, allowed three hits, struck out four and walked one.

Andrew Marrero threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings, including retiring an inherited runner from Hence. Jack Ralston surrendered one run in 1 1/3 innings. Alfredo Ruiz finished the sixth for Ralston. Griffin Roberts allowed two runs in just 2/3 of an inning. Roy Garcia secured the final out of the seventh with two runners on and remained for the final 2 1/3 innings, relinquishing one run. Garcia earned his sixth save. Ralston got the win.

Roy Garcia

The Beach Birds jumped ahead 1-0 in the first inning. Jeremy Rivas singled, stole second base, and came home on a single by Aaron McKeithan. The Hammerheads tied it at 1-1 in the fifth.

Palm Beach took a 2-1 lead in the sixth on an RBI single by Elijah Cabell. Patrick Romeri hit a two-run home run in the seventh to give the Cardinals a 4-1 lead.

Jupiter rallied with two runs in the seventh, but the Cardinals added two of their own in the top of the eighth. McKeithan doubled, and Cabell drew a walk. McKeithan and Cabell scored on a single by Sander Mora.

The Hammerheads added their final run in the home eighth to bring the score to 6-4.

Jesus Orrechia was 3-for-4 with three singles. Romeri was 2-for-3 with two RBI. McKeithan was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Mora drove in two.

Patrick Romeri

On the base paths, Rivas stole his seventh base of the season. In the field, Cabell and Romeri each had an outfield assist at second base.

Palm Beach is 9-2 in the second half and is in first place in the FSL East.

Thursday’s game:  at Jupiter, Carlos Guarate RHP (3-3, 3.64) vs. TBD 5:30 CT.

FCL Cardinals – Off day

The Florida Complex League Cardinals are 8-12 on the season, tied for 12th in the 16-team rookie league, seven games back of the Yankees.

Thursday’s game:  at FCL Astros Orange, TBD vs. TBD 11:00 am CT

DSL Cardinals 5 at DSL Twins 6

The Cardinals (11-13) were edged by the Twins in a one-run loss on Wednesday morning. Starter Ronny Oliver pitched four innings, gave up one run on three hits, struck out four and walked two.

Ronny Oliver

Samuel Fabian surrendered three runs in 1 2/3 innings of relief. Omar Yanez allowed two runs in 2 1/3 innings and took the loss, his second of the season.

The Cardinals scored first and took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Jonathan Mejia drew a walk and Luis Rodriguez followed with a single. Jose Suarez singled to score Mejia.

The Cardinals increased the lead to 2-0 in the second on an RBI double by Maycol Justo. Two more runs were added in the third on a triple by Yordalin Pena and a double by Arfeni Batista.

The Twins put up their first run in the fourth to make it 4-1. The Cardinals answered with one run in the sixth to increase the lead to 5-1. Batista reached on an error and later scored on a wild pitch.

The Twins scored three in the home half of the sixth to cut the lead to 5-4. They then added two more in the seventh for the final score of 6-5.

Pena went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Justo, Suarez, and Batista each drove in a run.

On the base paths, Mejia was picked off and caught stealing. In the field, Miguel Vargas had an outfield assist at first base. Yanez picked a runner off second base.

Thursday’s game:  vs. DSL Giants Black, TBD vs. TBD 10:00 am CT.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – July 6, 2022

photo: Cardinals Dominican Academy (St. Louis Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-1 on Tuesday. All four full season clubs were off. The Player of the Day is DSL Cardinals CF Yordalin Pena, who was 2-for-4 with two runs scored in the Cardinals win over the Angels.

Results from games played Tuesday, July 5.

Memphis Redbirds – off Tuesday

Wednesday’s game: at Durham, LHP Garrett Williams (0-1, 9.00 at Triple-A) vs. LHP Ryan Yarbrough, 5:35 CT

Springfield Cardinals – off Tuesday

Wednesday’s game: at Arkansas, RHP Michael McGreevy (3-2, 4.26) vs. RHP Connor Jones (4-6, 4.90) 12:05 CT

Peoria Chiefs – off Tuesday

Wednesday’s game: vs. Beloit, RHP Dionys Rodriguez (1-8, 4.98) vs. RHP M.D. Johnson, 6:35 CT

Palm Beach Cardinals – off Tuesday

Wednesday’s game: at Jupiter, RHP Tink Hence (0-1, 1.31) vs. TBA 5:30 CT

FCL Cardinals 3, FCL Astros Blue 10

The Cardinals (8-12) were trounced by the Astros Blue in a 10-3 contest at Roger Dean Stadium on Tuesday morning. Ljay Newsome, on a rehab assignment started the game but gave up three runs, one earned, while recording only one out.

Benjamin Arias relieved Newsome and surrendered one run in 3 2/3 innings of relief. Alejandro Cervantes allowed three runs in two innings pitched. Johan Quezada hurled a scoreless seventh. Angel Cuenca relinquished one run in the eighth. Americo Lugo gave up three runs, two earned, in the ninth. Newsome took the loss, his first.

The Astros took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. The Cardinals cut the lead to 3-1 in the second. Samil De La Rosa began the inning with a double, then scored on a fielding error.

The Astros scored one in the third, one in the fifth, and two runs in the sixth to go up 7-1. The Cardinals responded in the seventh with two runs on an RBI single by Jose Cordoba and a sac fly by Lizandro Espinoza.

The Astros added three more runs to their total, one in the eighth and two more in the ninth.

Jose Cordoba

Cordoba went 2-for-4 with an RBI. De La Rosa was 2-for-4.

On the base paths, Cordoba stole two bases. In the field, Adari Grant made a fielding error. Arias made an error on a pickoff and Cervantes had a throwing error. De La Rosa had a fielding miscue and a throwing error.

Wednesday’s game:  Off.

DSL Cardinals 7, DSL Angels 4

The Cardinals (11-12) beat the Angels 7-4 on Tuesday morning. Juan Salas got the start for the Cardinals. The right hander pitched five innings, gave up two runs on four hits, fanned six and walked two to earn his first win of the season.

Esteban Contreras relieved Salas and surrendered two runs in 1 1/3 innings pitched. Miguel Martinez tossed the final 2 2/3 scoreless inning to earn the save.

The Cardinals took the lead 2-0 in the first inning. Anyelo Encarnacion drew a walk. Yordalin Pena singled, and Encarnacion scored on a throwing error on a pickoff attempt.

The Angels tied it a 2-2 in the top of the second inning. The Cardinals regained the lead 3-2 in the home half of the second on an RBI single by Jonathan Mejia.

Yordalin Pena

The Cardinals added four run to their total in the fifth on a sac fly by Carlos Carmona, a two run double by Elias Reynoso, and a single by Marcelo Perez. The Angels added two in the seventh.

Pena was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Reynoso drove in two.

On the base paths, Reynoso stole his first base of the season. Encarnacion swiped his fifth bag. In the field, Yancel Guerrero made a fielding error.

Wednesday’s game:  at DSL Twins, TBD vs. TBD 10:00 am CT.


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St. Louis Cardinals MLB Notebook – Week of June 27-July 3

photo: Nolan Arenado (Joe Puetz/USA TODAY Sports)

The St. Louis Cardinals went 3-3 on the week against two Eastern foes. Nolan Arenado’s cycle was a highlight for the offense. Our Blast from the Past recounts two prior cycles hit this past week in Cardinals history.



Game recaps

Monday, June 27 – Cardinals 9, Marlins 0

On Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals blanked the Miami Marlins in the first of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. Adam Wainwright started for St. Louis. The right hander pitched seven scoreless innings, allowed seven hits, fanned nine and walked one to earn his sixth win of the season.

Adam Wainwright

James Naile and Jake Woodford each tossed a scoreless inning of relief.

The Cardinals began their scoring in the first inning on a solo home run by Paul Goldschmidt. Juan Yepez smacked a three-run shot in the fourth to make it 4-0.

In the fifth, Tommy Edman singled and scored on a double by Goldschmidt. Yepez blasted a second long ball, a two-run shot in the sixth. The Cardinals led 7 -0.

Juan Yepez

In the eighth, Nolan Gorman doubled and scored on a triple by Dylan Carlson. Carlson scored on a wild pitch.

Goldschmidt went 4-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Yepez was 2-for-4 with five RBI and two runs scored. Carlson was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Gorman was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

On the base paths, Edman stole his 18th base of the season.

Tuesday, June 28 – Cardinals 5, Marlins 3

On Tuesday, the Cardinals defeated the Marlins in the second game of the series in St. Louis. Dakota Hudson took the mound for the Cardinals. The right hander pitched five innings, gave up three runs on six hits, struck out three and walked one. Hudson got the win, his sixth of the season.

Junior Fernandez relieved and threw two scoreless innings. Giovanny Gallegos and Ryan Helsley each tossed a scoreless inning. Helsley earned his sixth save.

Miami jumped ahead 3-0 in the third inning. The Cardinals chipped away at the lead in the fourth when Tommy Edman doubled and scored on a single by Dylan Carlson.

St. Louis took the lead they would not relinquish in the fifth. Brendan Donovan singled. Edmundo Sosa tripled, and Donovan scored. Edman singled to plate Donovan. Edman stole second base and scored on a Dylan Carlson ground rule double. Carlson came home on a single by Paul Goldschmidt.

Dylan Carlson

Edman was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Carlson was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Nolan Arenado was 2-for-4. Brendan Donovan was 2-for-4.

On the base paths, Carlson stole his fourth base of the season. Edman swiped his 19th bag.

Wednesday, June 29 – Cardinals 3, Marlins 4

The Cardinals were edged by the Marlins in a 4-3 contest on Wednesday. Starter Andre Pallante pitched seven innings, gave up two runs on five hits, struck out two and walked one.

Andre Pallante

Giovanny Gallegos threw a scoreless eighth. Ryan Helsley surrendered two runs in the ninth and took the loss, his first, and his third blown save.

The Cardinals got on the board with a 1-0 lead in the third. Edmundo Sosa singled and stole second base. Brendan Donovan reached on an error, advancing Sosa to third. Dylan Carlson plated Sosa on a sac fly.

The Marlins tied it up in the fourth, then took a 2-1 lead in the fifth. St. Louis answered with two in the home fifth. Sosa tripled and Andrew Knizner drew a walk. Sosa scored on a sac fly by Donovan. Carlson plated Knizner on a single.

The Cardinals took the 3-2 edge into the ninth but Avisail Garcia hit a two-run home run off Helsley to flip the lead. The Cardinals were unable to rally in the bottom half of the inning.

Sosa was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Juan Yepez was 2-for-3. Carlson drove in two.

On the base paths, Sosa stole his second base of the season.

Thursday, June 30 – Off day

Friday, July 1 – Cardinals 3 at Phillies 5

On Friday, the Cardinals fell to the Phillies in the first game of a weekend series in Philadelphia. Miles Mikolas started. The right hander pitched 5 1/3 innings, gave up four runs, two earned, on six hits, struck out one and walked two. Mikolas took the loss, his sixth of the season.

Zack Thompson threw one scoreless inning. Johan Oviedo surrendered one run in 2/3 innings pitched. Packy Naughton tossed a scoreless eighth.

The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Paul Goldschmidt singled and scored on a triple by Nolan Arenado. The Cardinals added to the lead with two runs in the third on a long ball from Arenado.

The Phillies fought back with three runs in the fifth to tie, then one run each in the sixth and seventh to go up 5-3. The Cardinals failed to score in response.

Arenado went 4-for-4 with three RBI while hitting for the cycle for the second time in his career. It was the first cycle by a Cardinal since Mark Grudzielanek in 2005. Goldschmidt was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Edman was picked off first base. Arenado and Juan Yepez each made a fielding error.

Saturday, July 2 – Cardinals 7 at Phillies 6

The Cardinals grinded out a one-run win over the Phillies on Saturday. Matthew Liberatore took the mound but struggled through 2 2/3 innings. The left hander gave up five runs on seven hits, struck out three and walked one.

Zack Thompson threw 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. Jordan Hicks hurled 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Packy Naughton surrendered one run in the sixth. Junior Fernandez and Ryan Helsley combined for the final 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Helsley got the win, his fourth of the season.

The Cardinals took a 5-0 lead in the first inning. Franchise history was made as four Cardinals hit consecutive home runs. Nolan Arenado began with a two-run shot following a single by Paul Goldschmidt. Then Nolan Gorman, Juan Yepez, and Dylan Carlson thumped solo shots into the stands at Citizens Bank Park.

Nolan Arenado

The Phillies didn’t wait long to recover from the shock. They scored two runs in the second inning and three runs in the third to tie the game at 5-5.

In the fifth, St. Louis went ahead 6-5 with a run scored on a double by Goldschmidt, a hit by pitch of Arenado, and successive walks to Gorman and Lars Nootbaar.

The Phillies tied it in the sixth. In the ninth, an Arenado solo home run gave the Cardinals a 7-6 lead, and the Phillies were shut down by Helsley in the bottom of the ninth.

Arenado hit two home runs with three RBI. Goldschmidt was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Tommy Edman was 2-for-5. Gorman, Yepez, Carlson and Nootbaar each had an RBI.

Sunday, July 3 – Cardinals 0 at Phillies 4

The Cardinals were blanked by the Phillies in an ESPN Sunday Night Baseball game that wasn’t one of the Cardinals’ best. Starter Adam Wainwright pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up four runs on eight hits, fanned five and walked one. Wainwright suffered his sixth loss of the season.

Packy Naughton relieved and threw a scoreless inning. James Naile tossed the final 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Phillies scored their first run in the fourth on a solo home run. They added three more in the sixth for the 4-0 lead.

St. Louis’ offense had four hits, eight strikeouts and two walks. The hits were singles by Nolan Arenado, Dylan Carlson, Brendan Donovan, and Tommy Edman.

On the base paths, Arenado was caught stealing. In the field, Nolan Gorman had a missed catch error.

NL Central Standings

At the precise mid-point of the season, 81 games, the Cardinals are on pace for 88 wins and a second-place divisional finish. That would be down two games from 2021, when St. Louis did not advance beyond the Wild Card Game.

Team W L Pct GB
Milwaukee 46 35 0.568
St. Louis 44 37 0.543 2
Chicago 32 47 0.405 13
Pittsburgh 32 47 0.405 13
Cincinnati 27 51 0.346 17.5

The Big Picture

The Cardinals ended the week with a 3-3 record. They won the series against the Marlins and lost 2 of 3 to the Phillies over the weekend. The Cardinals continue to fail to make significant ground to overtake and get a healthy lead over the Brewers.

To borrow a phrase from a former President, “It’s the pitching, stupid.” To be blunt, the ownership and front office continue to try to get by on the cheap, and it isn’t working. Potential “ace” Jack Flaherty was hurt from the beginning and has not gotten healthy. Adam Wainwright, bless his heart, pitches very well for someone who is on the wrong side of 40, but he isn’t the Wainwright that almost won the Cy Young Award three times, and he never will be again. Dakota Hudson just came off Tommy John surgery, and he wasn’t’ great before he had it. The newest addition, Steven Matz, has never terrified an offense (or even mildly frightened one). Miles Mikolas is the only pitcher on the staff who gives confidence that he can handle pretty much any opponent. Maybe not the Yankees, but no one is perfect.

You can’t go into a season with one good pitcher, one “he’s not bad for his age,” one who is only healthy when the moon is full, and two with whom you have to squint to see a positive outlook. At least you can’t go into the season and expect to win a World Series.

As for the bullpen, well, there is Ryan Helsley. Clone him seven times and they’d be off to the races. To be fair, some relievers are decent to middling. One would be okay if he wasn’t a human rain delay. Others are players to be designated for assignment later.

The offense is very pleasing though. The defense is good too. Get some pitching and maybe this team can really go somewhere special.

The Week that Was

The top offensive performers for the week by OPS are Nolan Arenado (1.429), Paul Goldschmidt (1.313), Juan Yepez (1.211), Nolan Gorman (1.600 in three games), Edmundo Sosa (1.064 in four games), and Dylan Carlson (.936).

Paul Goldschmidt

From there, it is a huge gap down to Tommy Edman at .686 and to Ivan Herrera at .091. Brendan Donovan, dropped the most, all the way to .356. Several of the regulars are on the IL and are not included.

The offense has been very good, except for the dismal performance against Zach Wheeler of  the Phillies on Sunday. Tyler O’Neill and Harrison Bader may be back within the next two weeks, which will help. The defense in the infield continues to be top notch. The outfield defense has suffered some with the absence of the aforementioned O’Neill and Bader. The substitutes have been okay, except for Juan Yepez, who is not good in the outfield.

The Cardinals left Philadelphia for Atlanta to play the Braves. This will be another tough series. St. Louis will end the week with the Phillies again, but at Busch Stadium. It is a tough stretch to be sure, and the Cardinals need to win consistently.

The first-place Brewers aren’t going anywhere, and they are playing the Cubs and the Pirates while the Cardinals are slogging it out with the World Series champions and the Phillies, who have already beaten them twice. It would be nice to keep up at least.

Trade and Acquisition Rumors

Buster Olney of ESPN tweeted that according to some rival executives, the Cardinals are the favorite to get Oakland pitcher Frankie Montas. However, Montas was pulled from his start on Sunday with tightness in the back of his shoulder and is considered day to day. Whether this injury will affect his availability or value in a trade is yet to be determined.

Transactions

  • 6/27 The Cardinals selected the contract of RHP James Naile from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/27 The Cardinals selected the contract of OF Conner Capel from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/27 The Cardinals placed RHP Jack Flaherty on the 15-day injured list. Right shoulder strain
  • 6/27 The Cardinals placed CF Harrison Bader on the 10-day injured list. Right foot plantar fasciitis.
  • 6/28 The Cardinals sent LHP Steven Matz on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 7/2 The Cardinals recalled LHP Matthew Liberatore from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 7/2 The Cardinals optioned RHP Jake Woodford to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 7/2 The Cardinals activated RHP Jordan Hicks from the 15-day injured list.
  • 7/2 The Cardinals designated RHP Nick Wittgren for assignment.

Nick Wittgren

Despite the lengthy list of injuries, the Cardinals have been in good comparative shape over the first half.  According to Man Games Lost, they are among the teams with the very fewest player games missed due to injury in 2022. (In the diagram below, St. Louis is under TOR at the far left.)

Injury Report

  • RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) remains on the 60-day IL. The right hander received a second opinion and has had surgery on the shoulder. Whether the injury is season-ending is yet to be determined.
  • LHP Steven Matz (left shoulder stiffness) has made two rehab starts for the Memphis Redbirds, most recently on July 2. No information about additional rehab starts has been available. Matz is expected to return sometime in July.
  • RHP Jordan Hicks (right forearm flexor) was activated from the injured list on Saturday, July 2 and made an appearance out of the bullpen against the Phillies.
  • OF/DH Corey Dickerson (strained left calf) was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 5. Dickerson was sent on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds on June 16 but made only one appearance before his rehab assignment was paused. He returned and played back-to-back games with Memphis on June 21 and June 22. The outfielder’s rehab assignment was paused again on June 24 due to a reinjury to his calf. Dickerson is being reevaluated.
  • C Yadier Molina (right knee inflammation) was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 17, retroactive to June 16. Molina is rehabbing in Puerto Rico. No date for Molina’s return has been specified.
  • LF Tyler O’Neill (left hamstring strain) was placed on the injured list on June 20. The outfielder will begin a rehab assignment for the Memphis Redbirds on Monday in Durham, NC. The plan is to have O’Neill play on Wednesday and Thursday, then have his hamstring evaluated for a possible return to the Cardinals lineup when the homestand begins on Friday.
  • LHP T.J. McFarland was placed on the Covid injured list after testing positive for Covid-19. The left hander will go on a rehab assignment soon.
  • RHP Drew VerHagen was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 24 with a right shoulder impingement. The right hander is undergoing testing while on the IL. No further information has been made available.
  • LHP Genesis Cabrera was placed on the Covid injured list on June 25. The left hander is close to returning to baseball activities. No specific date of return was announced.
  • RHP Jack Flaherty was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 27. Right shoulder strain. Flaherty was removed early from his last start due to a “dead arm.” Flaherty will not throw for 2-3 weeks and likely will not return until after the All-Star break.
  • CF Harrison Bader was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 27. Right foot plantar fasciitis. Bader has been in a walking boot the past week and is ready to resume baseball activities. The outfielder will be put through throwing and hitting drills in St. Louis on Monday. Bader can come off the IL on Thursday, but a decision regarding a rehab assignment has not been made.

Looking Ahead

A four-game series in Atlanta with the Braves begins Monday. Dakota Hudson is scheduled to make the Monday start, with Andre Pallante to start on Tuesday. Miles Mikolas will get the start on Wednesday and Matthew Liberatore on Thursday.

The Cardinals then return home for a 10-game homestand that begins with a weekend series against the Phillies. The homestand continues with three games with the Dodgers, followed by a weekend series against the Reds before the start of the All-Star break on Monday, July 18.

After the break, the Cardinals travel to Cincinnati for a weekend set with the Reds. The team travels to Toronto to play two games with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 27.

The regular season schedule can be found here.

Blast from the Past

This week the first Cardinal since 2005 hit for the cycle. It was the second cycle of his career for third baseman Nolan Arenado. Seventeen Cardinals have hit for the cycle in franchise history prior to Friday night. Arenado became the 18th. One Cardinal hit for the cycle twice. Ken Boyer did so on September 14, 1961, and again on June 16, 1964. The last Cardinal prior to Arenado to hit for the cycle was Mark Grudzielanek on April 27, 2005.

This week’s Blast from the Past remembers two Cardinals who hit for the cycle during the period June 27 through July 3. The first was a member of the “Gas House Gang” of the 1930s. The second was a former catcher and third who also managed the Cardinals for a period of time. Both had the same first name.

Ducky Medwick

On June 29, 1935, the Cardinals played the Cincinnati Reds at Crosley Field. It was a Saturday day game. The Cardinals eventually lost, 8-6, but during the contest Cardinals LF Joe “Ducky” Medwick hit for the cycle. Medwick was not the first Cardinal to accomplish the feat. Five Cardinals hit for the cycle prior to Medwick, including teammate Pepper Martin, who had done it two seasons earlier.

The sequence of Medwick’s cycle began with a double in the first inning that scored a run and put the Cardinals up 1-0. The Cardinals scored again when teammate Bill DeLancey hit a solo home run in the second.

In the third, Medwick tripled to center field, driving in the team’s third run. Medwick then scored the fourth run on a single by Ripper Collins.

Ducky singled to right field to begin the fifth inning. He scored, once again at the hands of DeLancey, who tripled. At this point the Cardinals led 5-1. The Reds scored in the home half of the fifth to make it 5-3.

Medwick popped out to second base in his fourth at bat in the seventh. The Reds scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh to take the lead 8-5.

The final at bat for Medwick was in the ninth, when he accomplished the cycle by hitting a solo home run for St. Louis’ sixth and final run.

The second Cardinal to cycle during the period was Joe Torre. Torre played for the Cardinals from 1969-1974. He was the first baseman for a short time, then after Tim McCarver was traded, he shared the catching position with rookie Ted Simmons. Torre began his major league career as a catcher with the Braves. After Simmons was made the full-time catcher, Torre moved to third base.

Joe Torre

Torre hit for the cycle on June 27, 1973, in a game against the Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium. The Cardinals won, 15-4.

Like Medwick, Torre’s first hit was a run scoring double in the first inning. Lou Brock scored. Torre was driven in by Simmons and the Cardinals led 3-0. The Pirates scored one run in the bottom of the first.

Torre’s second hit was a home run in the third. The Cardinals scored six runs in that inning and led 9-1. Torre’s third hit was a triple to right field to lead off the fourth. Torre came home on a sac fly by Simmons.

Torre hit into a double play in the fifth. The Cardinals scored one run in that inning. He drew a walk in the eighth, but the Cardinals didn’t score.

In the ninth, Torre completed the cycle with a single to center field that plated two runs. The Cardinals scored four runs in that inning to bring the final score to 15-4.

Torre was traded to the Mets after the 1974 season, and he finished his playing career there. He returned to the Cardinals in 1990 as the manager, replacing Whitey Herzog. He held that job until June 1995 when he was fired because of a poor record. The team was rebuilding and was in the process of being sold to the group led by Bill DeWitt Jr. Torre managed the Mets and Braves prior to the Cardinals, and the Yankees and the Dodgers after he left St. Louis.

Medwick was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1968. Torre was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame as a manager in 2014. Both Medwick and Torre are also in the Cardinals Hall of Fame, Medwick as part of the inaugural class in 2014, and Torre in 2016.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – July 2, 2022

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 4-2 on Friday. The Player of the Day is DSL Cardinals catcher Luis Rodriguez, who was 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored in the Cardinals win over the DSL Rockies. Other standouts include Samil De La Rosa with the FCL Cardinals.

Results from games played Friday, July 1.



Memphis 4, Jacksonville 6

The Redbirds fell to the Jumbo Shrimp in a 6-4 game at AutoZone Park on Friday night. Connor Thomas took the mound for Memphis. The left-hander pitched four innings, gave up six runs on 10 hits and struck out two. Thomas took the loss, his third of the season.

Angel Rondon relieved Thomas and tossed five scoreless innings of relief.

Jacksonville took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, then added five more runs in the third to go up 6-0. Memphis began to chip away, first with one run in the home half of the third. Ben DeLuzio singled and scored on a single by Scott Hurst with a throwing error.

The Redbirds added three more runs in the fifth on a triple by DeLuzio and a two-run home run by Hurst. Neither team scored after the fifth.

Scott Hurst

DeLuzio was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Hurst was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Evan Mendoza was 2-for-2.

In the field, Irving Lopez made a fielding error.

Memphis has a record of 42-34 and is in third place in the International League West, three games back of first place Nashville.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Jacksonville, TBD vs. TBD 6:35 CT.

Springfield 5, Wichita 1

The Cardinals were victorious over the Wind Surge at Hammons Field on Friday night. Starter Gordon Graceffo pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up one run on four hits, struck out two and walked two to earn his fourth win.

Gordon Graceffo

Tyler Pike relieved Graceffo and threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.

Springfield took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Mike Antico led off with a double, then stole third base. Nick Dunn plated Antico on a single. Malcom Nunez walked. Chase Pinder doubled to score Dunn and Nunez.

Wichita put up their only run of the game in the third inning. The Cardinal made it 4-1 in the home half of the third. Masyn Winn singled and stole second base. Nick Dunn singled, advancing Winn to third. Winn scored on a sac fly by Pinder.

Springfield scored their fifth and final run in the fourth on a solo home run by Nick Raposo.

Dunn was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Pinder had three RBI.

On the base paths, Antico stole his first base with Springfield. Winn swiped his seventh base. Dunn stole his third.

In the field, Jonah Davis had an outfield assist at second base.

Springfield is 2-2 in the second half and is tied with four teams in the Texas League North.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Wichita, Kyle Leahy RHP (4-6, 6.21) vs. Blayne Enlow RHP (0-2, 5.25) 6:35 CT.

Peoria 6 at Quad Cities 5

The Chiefs edged the River Bandits in a close game at Modern Woodman Park on Friday night. Starter Edgar Manzo pitched five innings, gave up two runs, one earned, on four hits, struck out three and walked one.

Edgar Manzo

Leonardo Taveras relieved Manzo and surrendered three runs in two innings of relief. Taveras was tagged with a blown save. Gianluca Dalatri tossed the final two scoreless innings to earn the win, his first.

Quad Cities took the first lead with one run in the second inning. The Chiefs tied it with one run in the third. Noah Mendlinger walked, stole second base, and scored on a throwing error.

Peoria scored again the fourth to take a 2-1 lead on an RBI double by Todd Lott. The Chiefs added two more in the fifth on a two-run long ball by Tyler Reichenborn.

The River Bandits cut the lead to 4-2 in the home half of the fifth, then tied it in the sixth. They took a 5-4 lead in eighth.

Peoria rallied in the ninth for two runs to go ahead 6-5. Lott singled, and Ramon Mendoza reached on an error. Mendlinger sac bunted to advance to advance the runners. Jacob Buchberger walked to load the bases. Francisco Hernandez walked, and Lott scored. Reichenborn walked to plate Mendoza.

Lott was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Osvaldo Tovalin was 2-for-5. Reichenborn had three RBI.

On the base paths, Mendlinger stole his sixth base of the season. Tommy Jew swiped two bases. In the field, Carlos Soto had a passed ball.

Peoria is 1-6 in the second half and sits in last place in the Midwest League West, six games back of first place South Bend.

Saturday’s game:  at Quad Cities, TBD vs. TBD 6:30 CT.

Palm Beach 4, Daytona 2

The Cardinals defeated the Tortugas on Friday night at Roger Dean Stadium. Bryan Pope got the start for Palm Beach. The right-hander pitched six innings, gave up one run on five hits, struck out three and walked two to earn his first win.

Roy Garcia relieved Pope and surrendered one run in the final three innings.

The Beach Birds took a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Aaron McKeithan began the inning with a triple. Jeremy Rivas followed with a walk. Leonardo Bernal plated McKeithan on a sac fly. Patrick Romeri drew a walk. Adanson Cruz tripled to score Rivas and Romeri.

Daytona made it a one run game with one run scored in each of the sixth and seventh. The Cardinals took it to 4-2 in the eighth on a solo home run by McKeithan.

Aaron McKeithan

McKeithan was 2-for-4 with an RBI and was the only Cardinal with multiple hits. Cruz drove in two.

On the base paths, Darlin Moquete stole his second base. In the field, Pope made a throwing error. Matt Chamberlain had an outfield assist at second base.

Palm Beach is 6-1 in the second half and is in first place in the FSL East.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Daytona, Trent Baker RHP (4-6, 2.91) vs. Kevin Abel RHP (1-0, 4.50) 5:00 CT.

FCL Cardinals 9, FCL Nationals 10

The Cardinals (7-10) were topped by the Nationals in a one-run loss on Friday morning.

Diorys Guerrero took the mound for the Cardinals. The left-hander pitched 2 1/3 innings, gave up five runs, two earned on two hits, struck out two and walked one. Guerrero took the loss, his first of the season.

Enrique Saldana threw 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Guerrero. Johan Quezada hurled a scoreless fourth. Angel Cuenca surrendered two runs while recording only one out. Alejandro Cervantes followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Victor Villanueva allowed two runs in the seventh. Omar Sanchez relinquished an unearned run to being the eighth. Ludwin Jimenez closed the game with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Nats went up 3-0 in the first. They added two more in the third for a 5-0 lead. In the home half of the third the Cardinals cut the lead to 5-1 on a Carlos Linarez RBI single.

The Nats widened the lead with two runs in the fifth. The Cardinals answered with one run in the bottom of the fifth on a solo home run by Samil De La Rosa.

The Nats added two more runs in the seventh to make it 9-2. The Cardinals put up a crooked number in the bottom frame with six run scored. Edgardo Rodriguez drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. De La Rosa singled. Hansel Otamendi walked to load the bases. Luis Pino doubled to plate Rodriguez and De La Rosa. Francis Reynoso singled, Otamendi and Pino scored. Fernando Diaz singled, Jose Zapata singled, and Adari Grant drove in Reynoso on a single. A sac fly by Jose Cordoba plated Diaz. The lead was cut to 9-8.

The Nats made it 10-8 in the top of the eighth. The Cardinals added one more run in the bottom half on an RBI double by Romtres Cabrera.

De La Rosa went 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Zapata was 2-for-2. Pino and Reynoso each had two RBI.

Samil De La Rosa

On the base paths, Linarez was caught stealing. In the field, Grant made three fielding errors. De La Rosa had a throwing error and a fielding miscue. Guerrero picked a runner off first base.

Saturday’s game:  at FCL Nationals, TBD vs. TBD 9:00 am CT.

DSL Cardinals 7 at DSL Colorado 1

The Cardinals (9-10) blew past the Rockies in a 7-1 contest on Friday morning. Alexander Beltre got the start for the Cardinals. The left-hander pitched four scoreless innings, allowed two hits, fanned seven and walked one.

Nelfy Ynfante relieved Beltre and threw three scoreless innings to earn his second win. Yordy Herrera surrendered one run in the eighth. Miguel Martinez tossed a scoreless ninth.

The game was scoreless until the sixth inning, when the Cardinals put up three runs on a three-run home run by Luis Rodriguez to take a 3-0 lead.

The Cardinals added three more runs in the seventh. Marcelo Perez drew a walk. Jonathan Mejia doubled. Yordalin Pena plated Perez and Mejia on a single. Pena scored on a throwing error.

The Rockies scored their only run in the eighth. In the ninth, Rodriguez thumped a solo home run to increase the Cardinals lead to 7-1.

Luis Rodriguez

Rodriguez was 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored. Pena was 3-for-5 with two RBI. Yaisel Ramos was 2-for-5.

On the base paths, Maycol Justo stole his second base of the season. In the field, Rodriguez made a throwing error, Justo had two throwing errors, and Mejia had two miscues, one throwing and one fielding.

Saturday’s game:  vs. DSL Twins, TBD vs. TBD 10:00 am CT.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – June 30, 2022

Photo: Francisco Hernandez (Peoria Chiefs)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 0-4 on Wednesday. The FSL and the DSL were off. The Player of the Day is Peoria 2B Francisco Hernandez, who 3-for-4 with an RBI in Peoria’s loss to Quad Cities.

Result from games played Wednesday, June 29.



Memphis 4, Jacksonville 10

The Redbirds were walloped by the Jumbo Shrimp in a 10-4 contest at AutoZone Park on Wednesday night. Aaron Brooks was on the bump for Memphis. The right-hander pitched seven innings, gave up five runs on eight hits and struck out five.

Jordan Hicks continued his rehab and relieved Brooks. He surrendered five runs in the eighth. Blake Parker tossed a scoreless ninth. Brooks took the loss, his fourth of the season.

Jacksonville posted four runs in the second inning to go up 4-0. Memphis cut the lead to 4-1 in the third. Moises Gomez walked and scored on a single by Alec Burleson with a fielding error.

The Redbirds made it 4-3 in the fourth. Clint Coulter singled, and Cory Spangenberg followed with a single. Austin Romine singled. Coulter scored on a wild pitch. Evan Mendoza reached on an error and Spangenberg scored.

In the seventh, the Jumbo Shrimp tied it and the blew the game open in the eighth with a five run inning. Memphis rallied for one more run in the ninth on an RBI single by Gomez.

Burleson went 2-for-4. Romine was 2-for-4. Gomez and Mendoza each had an RBI.

Alec Burleson

On the base paths, Ben DeLuzio stole his 21st base of the season. Mendoza was caught stealing.

Memphis is 42-32 on the season and is tied for second place with Columbus in the International League West, two games back of first place Nashville.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Jacksonville, Matthew Liberatore LHP (4-3, 4.03) vs. TBD 7:05 CT.

Springfield 1, Wichita 10

The Cardinals were pounded by the Wind Surge in a nine run loss at Hammons Field on Wednesday night. Starter Edgar Escobar pitched 3 2/3 innings, gave up seven runs on seven hits, struck out four and walked four. Escobar took the loss, his fourth of the season.

Michael Brettell relieved Escobar and surrendered two runs in 2 1/3 innings of relief. Michael YaSenka allowed one run in his final three innings.

Wichita scored one run in the first to take a 1-0 lead. They added to their lead with three runs in the third, three in the fourth, and two more in the sixth. The Cardinals scored their only run in the home half of the sixth. Jordan Walker led off with a double, then stole third base. Malcom Nunez plated Walker on a single.

Jordan Walker

The Wind Surge scored their final run in the ninth.

Walker went 2-for-2 and was the only Cardinal with multiple hits. Nunez had one RBI.

On the base paths, Walker stole his 15th base of the season. In the field, Julio Rodriguez had a passed ball.

Springfield is 1-1 in the second half and sits in third place in the Texas League North along with NW Arkansas and Wichita, one game back of Arkansas.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Wichita, Michael McGreevy RHP (3-2, 3.98) vs. Louie Varland RHP (6-2, 3.42) 7:05 CT.

Peoria 2 at Quad Cities 4

The Chiefs fell to the River Bandits in a two run loss on Wednesday night. Wilfredo Pereira took the mound for Peoria. The right-hander pitched 6 1/3 innings, gave up four runs on four hits, fanned six and walked one. Pereira took the loss, his fourth of the season.

Nathanael Heredia relieved Pereira and tossed the final 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Quad Cities took a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning. The Chiefs tied it up in the sixth. Tyler Reichenborn drew a walk, then stole second base. Osvaldo Tovalin was hit by a pitch. Francisco Hernandez doubled to plate Reichenborn. Tovalin scored on a sac bunt by Ramon Mendoza.

The River Bandits put up two runs in the seventh to lead 4-2. The Chiefs were unable to rally.

Hernandez went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Mike Antico and Tommy Jew were both 2-for-4.

Francisco Hernandez

On the base paths, Antico stole three bases for a total of 37 on the season. Reichenborn stole his 12th base. Jew swiped his 17th base. Mack Chambers stole his fifth. Luis Rodriguez was picked off first base.

In the field, Wade Stauss had a passed ball.

Peoria is 0-5 in the second half and is in last place in the Midwest League West, five games back of first place South Bend.

Thursday’s game:  at Quad Cities, TBD (PEO) vs. Charlie Neuweiler RHP (4-5, 5.11) 6:30 CT.

Palm Beach 0, Daytona 4

The Cardinals were blanked by the Tortugas in a 4-0 contest at Roger Dean Stadium on Wednesday night. Tink Hence got the start for Palm Beach. The right-hander pitched three scoreless innings with one hit allowed and eight punchouts.

Tink Hence

Jack Ralston relieved Hence and surrendered two runs in the fourth. Ralston took the loss. Alfredo Ruiz threw a scoreless fifth. Chris Holba hurled a scoreless sixth. Griffin Roberts allowed two runs in the seventh. Nelfri Contreras and Andrew Marrero each tossed a scoreless inning.

Daytona scored two runs in the fourth and two runs in the seventh. The Beach Birds were held to three hits, a double by Matt Chamberlain and singles Aaron McKeithen and Brady Whalen. The offense was 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position and left four men on base.

In the field, McKeithan had a passed ball.

Palm Beach is 4-1 in the second half and is in first place in the FSL East.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Daytona, Carlos Guarate RHP (3-3, 4.01) vs. Tanner Cooper RHP (4-1, 3.46) 5:30 CT.

FCL Cardinals – Off day

Thursday’s game:  vs. FCL Mets, TBD vs. TBD 11:00 am CT

DSL Cardinals – Off day

Thursday’s game:  vs. DSL Angels, TBD vs. TBD 10:00 am CT.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – June 29, 2022

Photo: Malcom Nunez (Springfield Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 4-2 on Tuesday. The Player of the Day is Springfield DH Malcom Nunez, who was 3-for-5 with five RBI and two runs scored in Springfield’s win over Wichita. Other standouts were Jordan Walker and Chandler Redmond for Springfield, and Alec Burleson in Memphis.

Results from games played Tuesday, June 28.



Memphis 5, Jacksonville 3

The Redbirds beat the Jumbo Shrimp by the score of 5-3 at AutoZone Park on Tuesday night. Steven Matz, on a rehab assignment, started for Memphis. The left-hander pitched two scoreless inning with one hit allowed and three punchouts

Jordan Hicks, also on a rehab assignment, relieved Matz and surrendered one run in the third. Tommy Parsons finished the game with six innings pitched, two runs allowed on four hits, four strikeouts and one walk. Parsons got the win, his fifth of the season.

Tommy Parsons

The Redbirds took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Luken Baker doubled and scored on a single by Pedro Pages. Jacksonville answered with one run in the third and two runs in the fourth to take a 3-1 lead.

Memphis put up four runs in the fifth to go ahead 5-3 on a solo home run by Clint Coulter and a three-run long ball by Alec Burleson. Neither team scored after the fifth.

Baker was 2-for-4 in the game. Coulter was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Burleson drove in three.

On the base paths, Evan Mendoza stole his ninth base of the season.

Memphis is 42-31 on the season and is in second place in the International League West, 1.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Jacksonville, Aaron Brooks RHP (3-3, 8.15) vs. TBD 7:05 CT.

Springfield 12, Wichita 8

The Cardinals came out ahead in a slugfest with Wichita at Hammons Field on Tuesday night. Connor Lunn took the mound for Springfield. The right-hander pitched four innings, gave up four runs, three earned, on four hits, struck out four and walked three.

Domingo Robles relieved Lunn and surrendered four runs, two earned in four innings of relief. Ryan Loutos tossed a scoreless ninth.

Wichita got on the board first with three runs in the top of the first. In the home half of the inning Springfield responded with one run. Nick Dunn singled, and Jordan Walker followed with a double. Chandler Redmond plated Dunn on a single.

The Wind Surge increased their lead to 4-1 in the third. In the fifth the Cardinals scored two runs on a long ball by Redmond.

Wichita plated two runs to widen the lead to 6-3. Springfield made it 6-4 in the seventh on a bases loaded walk by Matt Koperniak.

The Wind Surge added to the lead again with two runs in the eighth. In the bottom half of the eighth, the Cardinals blew past Wichita with an eight-run inning to take a 12-8 lead.

Malcom Nunez thumped a solo home run to begin the inning. Aaron Antonini walked. Justin Toerner singled. Jonah Davis plated Antonini and Toerner on a triple. Davis then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game. Julio Rodriguez walked, Dunn singled, and Walker walked. Nunez then hit a grand slam to left center field.

Malcom Nuñez

Nunez went 3-for-5 with five RBI and two runs scored. Walker was 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Dunn was 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Redmond was 2-for-5 with three RBI. Davis was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Toerner was 2-for-4.

On the base paths, Koperniak was picked off first base. In the field, Lunn made an error on a pickoff. Redmond had a fielding miscue. Dunn had two errors, one fielding and one throwing. Robles picked a runner off first base. Antonini had a passed ball.

Springfield is 1-0 in the second half and is tied for first place with NW Arkansas in the Texas League North.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Wichita, TBD (SPR) vs. Casey Legumina RHP (1-3, 6.57) 6:35 CT.

Peoria 10 at Quad Cities 11

The Chiefs were topped by the River Bandits in an 11-10 slugfest on Tuesday night. Starter Zane Mills pitched five innings, gave up eight runs on nine hits, struck out five and walked two.

Levi Prater relieved Miller and surrendered one run in the sixth. John Beller allowed two runs in two innings of relief and took the loss, his first of the season.

Peoria began the game with a crooked number in the top of the first. The Chiefs put up six runs to take the early lead. Mike Antico was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Tyler Reichenborn followed with a double. Osvaldo Tovalin was hit by a pitch. L.J. Jones singled and Antico scored. Francisco Hernandez walked and Reichenborn scored. Tovalin scored on a sac fly by Ramon Mendoza. Wade Stauss then hit a three-run home run to right center field.

Wade Stauss

Quad Cities answered in the home half of the first with two runs to cut the lead to 6-2. Tovalin led off with a single, then moved to second on a wild pitch. Tovalin advanced to third on a ground out by Hernandez. Ramon Mendoza stole second base, then both Tovalin and Mendoza scored on a throwing error.

The River Bandits added two more in the second to make it 6-4.

Peoria put up three runs in the fifth to increase the lead to 9-4. Quad Cities responded by scoring five run in the sixth to tie the game at 9-9.

In the seventh, the Chiefs plated one run to go up 10-9 on a solo home run by Jones. The River Bandits won the game in the eighth by putting two more unanswered runs on the board.

Jones went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Antico and Tovalin were both 2-for-4. Stauss was 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored.

On the base paths, Mendoza stole his first base of the second half. In the field, Tommy Jew had an outfield assist at home.

Peoria is 0-4 in the second half and is in last place in the Midwest League West, four games back of first place South Bend.

Wednesday’s game:  at Quad Cities, TBD (PEO) vs. Zach Haake RHP (0-1, 4.15) 6:30 CT.

Palm Beach 4, Daytona 1

The Cardinals defeated the Tortugas in a 4-1 contest at Roger Dean Stadium on Tuesday night. Inohan Paniagua got the start for Palm Beach. The right-hander pitched seven innings, gave up one run on three hits, fanned eight and walked three to earn his fifth win of the season.

Inohan Paniagua

Hayes Heinecke tossed the final two scoreless innings to earn his third save.

Daytona scored first with their only run of the game in fourth inning. The Beach Birds scored all four of their runs in the sixth. Darlin Moquete drew a walk to begin the inning. Matt Chamberlain also walked. Jeremy Rivas walked to load the bases. Leonardo Bernal then hit a grand slam to right field.

No Cardinal had multiple hits. The offense had five hits in total, the grand slam, a double by Aaron McKeithan and singles by Moquete, Sander Mora, and Brady Whalen.

On the base paths, Adanson Cruz was picked off second base. In the field, Bernal made a fielding error

Palm Beach is 4-0 in the second half and is in first place in the FSL East.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Daytona, Tink Hence RHP (0-1, 1.53) vs. Julian Aguiar RHP (4-5, 4.01) 5:30 CT. 

FCL Cardinals 2 at FCL Mets 11

The Cardinals (7-9) were shellacked by the Mets in an 11-2 laugher in St. Lucie on Tuesday morning. Wilmer Ortega took the mound for the Cardinals. The right-hander pitched two innings, gave up two runs on two hits, struck out one and walked one to suffer his first loss of the season.

Brayan Ramirez relieved Ortega and surrendered five runs while recording only one out. Yordy Richard got the final two outs of the third inning. Angel Cuenca threw a scoreless fourth. Ettore Giulianelli allowed one run in two innings of relief. Augusto Calderon allowed three runs in the seventh. Edwin Nunez tossed a scoreless eighth.

The Mets posted two runs in the first inning, then added to the 2-0 lead with a five run third to make it 7-0. The Cardinals scored their only two runs in the fourth. Luis Pino singled and Felix Taveras doubled. Francis Reynoso plated Pino and Taveras on a double.

The Met added one run in the fifth and three more runs in the seventh.

Pino went 2-for-4 in the game. He was the only Cardinal with multiple hits. Reynoso had two RBI.

Luis Piño

On the base paths, Adari Grant stole his second base of the season. In the field, Roblin Heredia made a throwing error, Samil De La Rosa had two throwing errors, and Grant had a fielding miscue. Jose Cordoba had an outfield assist at second base and Pino threw a runner out at home.

Wednesday’s game:  Off

DSL Cardinals 9 at DSL KC Glass 5

The Cardinals (8-10) beat the KC Glass by the score of 9-5 on Tuesday morning. Juan Salas got the start for the Cardinals. The right-hander pitched three innings, gave up two unearned runs on two hits and struck out three.

Henry Gomez relieved Salas threw two scoreless innings. Estaban Contreras hurled a scoreless sixth. Juan Severino surrendered three runs in 2/3 innings. Bruno Lopez and Oliver Lopez combined to toss the final 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Bruno Lopez got the win, his first of the season.

The Cardinals went up 2-0 in the second inning on an Alejandro Loaiza two-run home run. They added two more runs in the third to make it 4-0 on solo home runs by Elias Reynoso and Maycol Justo.

KC put up their first two runs in the home half of the third. The Cardinals widened their lead in the fourth with four runs for a score of 8-2. Loaiza drew a walk and Keshawn Rombley singled. Reynoso walked. Justo singled to score Loaiza and Rombley. Reynoso scored on a ground out by Jonathan Mejia. Justo scored on a balk.

The Cardinals made it 9-2 in the sixth on an RBI single by Reynoso. KC added three runs in the seventh for the final score of 9-5.

Justo went 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Rombley was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Reynoso was 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Loaiza drove in two.

Maycol Justo

In the field, Reynoso made two fielding errors.

Wednesday’s game:  Off


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Palm Beach Cardinals Notebook – 2022 Week 12


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St. Louis Cardinals Notebook – Week of June 20-26

Photo: Paul Goldschmidt (Billy Hurst/USA TODAY Sports)

The St. Louis Cardinals went 3-4 this week, splitting a four-game series with the Brewers and losing a series with the Cubs. The team moved a game back of the Brewers for the top spot in the NL Central. Our Blast from the Past recalls the “Ryne Sandberg game” of 1984.



Game recaps

Monday, June 20 – Cardinals 0 at Brewers 2

The Cardinals were blanked by the Brewers in the first game of a four game series in Milwaukee. Miles Mikolas got the start for St. Louis. The right hander pitched 6 1/3 innings, gave up two runs on four hits, struck out three and walked two. It was the fifth loss for Mikolas this season.

Johan Oviedo relieved Mikolas and tossed the final 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Brewers went ahead 2-0 in the fifth inning on a two-run home run by Milwaukee center fielder Tyrone Taylor.

The Cardinal offense was held to three hits by Brewer starter Corbin Burnes. The Redbird hitters struck out 12 times and were 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position. The only extra base hit was a double by Juan Yepez in the second inning. Yepez was 2-for-3 in the contest.

Tuesday, June 21 – Cardinals 6 at Brewers 2

The Cardinals were victorious over the Brewers in the second game of the series on Tuesday. Jack Flaherty made the start but was out after three innings pitched. The right-hander gave up two runs on three hits, struck out one and walked five.

Zack Thompson relieved Flaherty and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Drew VerHagen, Giovanny Gallegos, and Ryan Helsley combined to toss the final 4 1/3 scoreless innings. Thompson got the win, his first of the season.

St. Louis got on the board in the first inning with two runs. Brendan Donovan singled and Nolan Arenado doubled. Donovan scored on a ground out by Juan Yepez. Nolan Gorman plated Arenado on a single.

The Brewers scored two in the home half of the first to tie the game. The Cardinals regained the lead with one run scored in the fourth on a solo home run by Gorman. Gorman homered again in the seventh to make it 4-2.

Nolan Gorman

The Cardinals added their final two runs in the eighth. Edman singled and Donovan singled. Edman scored on an Arenado single. Gorman plated Donovan on a single.

Gorman went 4-for-4 in the contest with four RBI and two runs scored. Donovan and Arenado were each 2-for-4. Arenado had an RBI. Yepez drove in one.

On the base paths, Dylan Carlson stole his second base of the season.

Wednesday, June 22 – Cardinals 5 at Brewers 4

The Cardinals edged the Brewers in a 5-4 contest at American Family Field on Wednesday. Adam Wainwright got the start for St. Louis. The right hander pitched 4 2/3 innings, gave up four runs on seven hits, fanned seven and walked one.

Johan Oviedo relieved Wainwright and threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Genesis Cabrera tossed the final two scoreless innings. Oviedo earned his first career win.

The Cardinals took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a two run long ball by Paul Goldschmidt. The Brewers answered with one run in the home half of the first.

St. Louis increased the lead to 3-1 in the fourth. Nolan Arenado doubled, Juan Yepez singled, and Albert Pujols plated Arenado on a sac fly. Milwaukee cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth.

The Brewers took the lead with two runs in the fifth to make it 4-3. The Cardinals responded by scoring two in the sixth to regain the lead at 5-4.

Arenado was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Yepez was 2-for-3. Goldschmidt drove in two.

Juan Yepez

On the base paths, Tommy Edman stole his 16th base of the season. Dylan Carlson swiped his third bag.

Thursday, June 23 – Cardinals 4 at Brewers 6

The Cardinals lost the final game of the series and earned a split. Dakota Hudson took the mound and pitched 4 1/3 innings, gave up five runs on seven hits, struck two and walked three. Hudson took the loss, his fourth of the season.

Junior Fernandez relieved Hudson and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Zack Thompson hurled a scoreless seventh. Drew VerHagen surrendered one run in the eighth without recording any outs. Nick Wittgren finished the eighth with no further damage.

The Cardinals once again took the early 2-0 lead in the first inning. Nolan Gorman singled. Paul Goldschmidt doubled, and Gorman scored. Goldschmidt scored on throwing errors by the Brewers shortstop and pitcher.

The Brewers scored one in the bottom of the first, just as they did in the previous day’s game. They added three more run in the fourth to go up 4-2. The Cardinals made it 4-3 in the fifth on a solo home run by Lars Nootbaar, but Willy Adames did the same in the home half of the fifth to increase their lead.

Lars Nootbaar

The Cardinals scored again in the sixth to get within one run for the second time. Goldschmidt walked, then Nolan Arenado doubled. Juan Yepez plated Goldschmidt on a sac fly.

The Brewers added their final run in the eighth to cement a 6-4 victory.

Gorman and Arenado were both 2-for-4. Nootbaar was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Goldschmidt and Yepez each drove in a run.

In the field, Nootbaar had an outfield assist at home plate.

Friday, June 24 – Cardinals 0, Cubs 3

The Cardinals took on the rival Cubs in a three game series at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals allowed themselves to be blanked by the fourth place Cubs on Friday. Starter Andre Pallante pitched six innings, gave up three runs on seven hits, struck out two and walked three. Pallante took the loss, his third of the season.

Junior Fernandez relieved Pallante and threw a scoreless seventh. Nick Wittgren tossed the final two scoreless innings.

The Cubs took a 2-0 lead in the second on a two run home run, then added their third run in the fifth. The Cardinal offense was held to five hits by Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks, with the only extra base hit being a double by Harrison Bader. The other hits, all singles came from Tommy Edman, Brendan Donovan, Juan Yepez, and Dylan Carlson. The offense was 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.

Saturday, June 25 – Cardinals 5, Cubs 3

The Cardinal cemented what turned out to be the only win in the series against the Cubs. The win didn’t come easy as the winning runs didn’t’ come until the final innings. Miles Mikolas got the start and pitched well, going six innings and giving up only one run on four hits, and fanning nine with only one walk. Unfortunately, he got a no decision.

Giovanny Gallegos relieved Mikolas and blew his fourth save of the season. The right hander surrendered two runs in 1 1/3 innings. Ryan Helsley came in to save the game and tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings to earn his third win of the season.

The Cardinals scored two runs in the first inning to take the lead. Paul Goldschmidt singled and Nolan Arenado followed with a double. Brendan Donovan plated Goldschmidt and Arenado on a single.

The Cubs made it 2-1 in the fifth, then went up 3-2 in the eighth. St. Louis answered with two runs in the home half of the eighth to regain the lead and take the game. Juan Yepez doubled. Edmundo Sosa pinch ran for Yepez. Sosa advanced to third on a wild pitch. Harrison Bader was hit by a pitch. Sosa scored on a sac fly by Ivan Herrera. It was Herrera’s first major league RBI. Tommy Edman then plated Bader on a single.

Arenado went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Goldschmidt was 2-for-4. Donovan drove in two.

Nolan Arenado

On the base paths, Edman stole his 17th base of the season, leading the NL in that category.

Sunday, June 26 – Cardinals 5, Cubs 6 (10 innings)

The Cardinals were unable to take the series against the Cubs in St. Louis. Starter Jack Flaherty made an early exit, and the bullpen blew a five-run lead.

Flaherty pitched two scoreless innings with one hit allowed, two strikeouts and two walks. Flaherty did not return to pitch the third due to shoulder tightness.

Nick Wittgren came in to relieve Flaherty and gave up four runs in one inning pitched. Johan Oviedo surrendered one run in relief of Wittgren. Packy Naughton and Junior Fernandez combined for three scoreless innings. Zack Thompson gave up the winning run in the 10th and took the loss, his first.

The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the first. Brendan Donovan tripled and scored on a single by Nolan Arenado. St. Louis increased the lead to 2-0 in the second. Dylan Carlson was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a single by Ivan Herrera, his first major league hit. Carlson scored on force out by Tommy Edman.

In the third the Cardinals widened the lead to 5-0 on three solo home runs by Donovan, Paul Goldschmidt, and Juan Yepez.

Brendan Donovan

The five-run lead quickly evaporated when Wittgren came in to relieve Flaherty. Wittgren allowed four runs on four hits. Wittgren was pulled for Oviedo, who surrendered the tying run. What was a 5-0 lead became 5-5 in a half inning.

The Cardinal offense essentially shut down after that. The tie took the game into extra innings and the Cubs pushed a run across to take the 6-5 lead. The Cardinals offense whiffed in the bottom of the 10th and the Cubs took the series.

Donovan went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Herrera was 2-for-3.

On the base paths, Edman was picked off and caught stealing. Donovan was also caught stealing

In the field, Paul Goldschmidt made his first fielding error of the season. Flaherty had a throwing error.

NL Central Standings

Team                                        W                                     L                               Pct                                    GB

 

Milwaukee

 

          42

 

            33

 

         .560

 

          ——

 

St. Louis

 

          41

 

            34

 

         .547

 

              1

 

Pittsburgh

 

          29

 

            43

 

         .403

 

            11.5 

 

Chicago

 

          28

 

            45

 

         .384

 

             13

 

Cincinnati

 

          25

 

            47

 

         .347

 

            15.5 

Big Picture

The Cardinals finished the week with a record of 3-4. They split a four game series with the Brewers and lost 2-of-3 three to the Cubs. The Brewers are now in first place in the NL Central by one game.

The offense was inconsistent during the week. They were shutout twice, once by the Brewers and once by the Cubs. It appears certain pitchers, in this case Corbin Burnes and Kyle Hendricks, leave the offense stumped. The performance against Burnes, the reigning NL Cy Young winner, is forgivable. Their bafflement at the hands of Hendricks, who came into the game with a 5+ ERA is not. Hendricks is not new to the Cardinal offense, and why they continue to perform badly against him while other teams do not have the same issues, is a puzzle.

The top offensive performers during the week by OPS were:  Paul Goldschmidt (1.000), Brendan Donovan (.989), Nolan Arenado (.966), Ivan Herrera (.829 in five games), and Lars Nootbaar (.818 in six games).

Andrew Knizner continues to struggle with the bat, with an OPS of .237. The biggest performance drop was that of Harrison Bader, who has an OPS of .317 for the week, and Tommy Edman at .328. Bader had good career numbers against the Cubs coming into that series. He had the only extra base hit in the 3-0 shutout and had a single in Saturday’s win but was 0-for-4 in Sunday’s loss.

Despite the inconsistency, the offense is basically fine. It is the pitching that continues to be the major problem. At this point in the season, the Cardinals pitching staff ranks 23rd out of all 30 teams in baseball. This is incompatible with a winning team, even in a weak division like the NL Central.

The rotation is plagued by injuries, much like it was last season. Even with that history, the front office allowed the team to start the season with little depth in the rotation. Even worse is the bullpen, which continues to blow leads right and left. Again, the front office put together this yard sale bullpen, so some of the responsibility lies there.

The Cardinals have three games left in this homestand against the Marlins. The Marlins have very good pitching in Sandy Alcantara and Pablo Lopez. Good pitching has been the Achilles heel for this offense. A series win is a must.

After the Marlins series the Cardinal leave on a road trip where their first opponent is the Phillies. The Phillies’ early season struggles have ended, and they have been playing well. However, they just lost their best player, Bryce Harper, to a fractured thumb, which could keep him out for a considerable time. This is important not just for this series, but for the series coming soon after with the Phillies in St. Louis. Even without Harper, the Phillies will be tough.

Trade and Acquisition Rumors.

There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.

Transactions

  • 6/20 The Cardinals recalled LF Lars Nootbaar from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/20 The Cardinals placed LF Tyler O’Neill on the 10-day injured list. Left hamstring strain.
  • 6/21 The Cardinals sent RHP Jordan Hicks on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/22 The Cardinals recalled RHP Junior Fernandez from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/22 The Cardinals placed T.J. McFarland on the Covid injured list.
  • 6/24 The Cardinals recalled LHP Packy Naughton from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/24 The Cardinals placed RHP Drew VerHagen on the 10-day injured list. Right shoulder impingement.
  • 6/25 The Cardinals recalled RHP Jake Woodford from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/25 The Cardinals placed LHP Genesis Cabrera on the Covid injured list.

Injury Report

  • RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) remains on the 60 day IL. The right hander received a second opinion and has had surgery on the shoulder. Whether the injury is season-ending is yet to be determined.
  • LHP Steven Matz (left shoulder stiffness) threw off a mound on June 18 and June 21. Matz is expected to be sent on a rehab assignment soon.
  • RHP Jordan Hicks (right forearm flexor) was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 26, retroactive to May 25. The right-hander has made two rehab assignments at Memphis and will make back to back appearances on Tuesday and Wednesday. If the rehab assignments are successful, Hicks may make the road trip with the team to Philadelphia and Atlanta.
  • OF/DH Corey Dickerson (strained left calf) was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 5. Dickerson was sent on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds on June 16 but made only one appearance before his rehab assignment was paused. He returned and played back to back games with Memphis on June 21 and June 22 but hasn’t made an appearance since.
  • C Yadier Molina (right knee inflammation) was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 17, retroactive to June 16. Molina is rehabbing in Puerto Rico. No date for Molina’s return has been specified.
  • LF Tyler O’Neill (left hamstring strain) was placed on the injured list on June 20. The outfielder will be evaluated early this week to determine his readiness for a rehab assignment.
  • LHP T.J. McFarland was placed on the Covid injured list after testing positive for Covid-19. No specific date of return was announced.
  • RHP Drew VerHagen was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 24 with a right shoulder impingement. VerHagen’s last appearance was on June 23, where he was unable to record an out in the eighth inning in the final game against the Brewers. No return date has been specified.
  • LHP Genesis Cabrera was placed on the Covid injured list on June 25. No specific date of return was announced.
  • RHP Jack Flaherty came out of Sunday’s game after two innings with right shoulder tightness. Manager Oli Marmol said the removal was precautionary and that the pitcher’s shoulder was not painful but was more like dead arm. The team is hopeful this is not a recurring problem and Flaherty is being evaluated.

Looking Ahead

The Cubs series ends on Sunday. The Marlins come to St. Louis for a three game series beginning Monday. Adam Wainwright is scheduled to make the Monday start with Dakota Hudson to follow on Tuesday and Andre Pallante on Wednesday.

Beginning July 1, the Cardinals travel to Philadelphia for a weekend series with the Phillies. The road trip concludes with four games in Atlanta against the Braves.

The Cardinals then return home for a 10 game homestand that begins with a weekend series against the Phillies. The homestand continues with three games with the Dodgers, followed by a weekend series against the Reds before the start of the All Star break on Monday, July 18.

After the All Star break, the Cardinals travel to Cincinnati for a weekend series with the Reds.

The regular season schedule can be found here.

Blast from the Past.

This week’s Blast from the Past looks back on a memorable game from the 1984 season. This game that took place on June 23, 1984, is sometimes referred to as the “Ryne Sandberg game” due to two game tying home runs hit by the Cubs slugger. The game was a 12-11 loss for the Cardinals but the performance of Cardinals favorite Willie McGee stands out.

The game between the Cardinals and the Cubs was played at Wrigley Field on June 23, 1984. It was a Saturday day game that went 11 innings and lasted 3 hours and 53 minutes. At that time, the Cardinals and the Cubs played in the NL East Division along with the Mets, Phillies, Expos and Pirates. Coming into that game the Mets were in first place with a record of 36-28. The Cubs had a record of 36-31 and were in third place. The Cardinals were in fifth place with a record of 34-36.

Manager Whitey Herzog’s lineup for the Saturday game was:  LF Lonnie Smith, SS Ozzie Smith, CF Willie McGee, RF George Hendrick, 1B David Green, 2B Tom Herr, 3B Art Howe, C Darrell Porter, P Ralph Citarella

Cubs’ manager Jim Frey’s lineup was:  CF Bob Dernier, 2B Ryne Sandberg, LF Gary Matthews, 1B Leon Durham, RF Keith Moreland, C Jody Davis, 3B Ron Cey, SS Larry Bowa, and P Steve Trout.

Here are the highlights from the 11 inning game.

Top of the 1stOzzie Smith walked and advanced to second on a ground out by McGee. George Hendrick singled and Smith scored.

Bottom of the 1stDernier singled and stole second base. Sandberg plated Dernier on a single. The game was tied 1-1.

Top of the 2ndHerr singled, then advance to second on a balk by Trout. Howe walked. Both runners advanced on a groundout by Porter. Citarella singled and Herr scored. Howe scored on a single by Lonnie Smith. Ozzie Smith walked. McGee tripled to score Citarella and both Smiths. Trout was replaced by Rich Bordi. McGee scored on a groundout by Hendrick. The Cardinals led 7-1.

Bottom of the 2ndCitarella retired all three Cubs hitters.

Top of the 3rdPorter drew a walk but was left stranded.

Bottom of the 3rdCitarella gave up a single to Sandberg but induced a double play from Matthews to end the inning.

Top of the 4thMcGee singled but was left stranded.

Bottom of the 4thCitarella gave up a leadoff single to Durham but retired the next three batters.

Top of the 5thGreen singled and Porter was intentionally walked. Both were left stranded.

Bottom of the 5thPinch hitter Jay Johnstone singled and Dernier singled. Sandberg plated Johnstone on a groundout. Matthews doubled and Dernier scored. The lead was cut to 7-3.

Top of the 6thOzzie Smith singled and stole second base. McGee hit a two run home run. Hendrick walked and Herr singled. Both were left stranded. The Cardinals led 9-3.

Bottom of the 6thThe Cubs scored five runs on Citarella and reliever Neil Allen. Sandberg hit an RBI single. The lead was 9-8.

Top of the 7thLonnie Smith walked and was left stranded.

Bottom of the 7thAllen pitched a scoreless inning with one walk.

Eighth inning – No hits or runs for either team

Top of the 9thSingle by Herr, IBB to Andy Van Slyke, who entered the game in the pitcher’s spot in the 6th. Both runners stranded.

Bottom of the 9thSandberg hits his first game tying home run. Score is 9-9.

Top of the 10thOzzie Smith singled and stole second base. McGee doubled and Smith scored. The double completes the cycle for McGee. McGee scored on a ground out by pinch hitter Steve Braun. The Cardinals lead 11-9.

Bottom of the 10thDernier walked. Sandberg hits his second game tying home run. The game is tied 11-11.

Top of the 11thVan Slyke walks but is stranded.

Bottom of the 11thDurham walks, steals second and advances to third on a throwing error by Porter. Pinch hitter Dave Owen singled to plate Durham and the Cubs win 12-11.

In addition to Citarella and Allen, the Cardinals used pitchers Bruce Sutter, Dave Rucker and Jeff Lahti. Lahti gave up the winning run, but Rucker took the loss because Durham was Rucker’s responsibility. There were three pinch hitters and four position player replacements used by the Cardinals. McGee had six RBI as well as hitting for the cycle.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – June 25, 2022

Photo: Alec Burleson (Springfield Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 2-4 on Friday. The Player of the Day is Memphis LF Alec Burleson, who was 3-for-4 with two RBI in the Memphis victory over Indianapolis. Other standouts were Clint Coulter and Delvin Perez for Memphis, and Malcom Nunez for Springfield.

Results from games played Friday, June 24.



Memphis 11 at Indianapolis 8

The Redbirds outlasted the Indians in a slug fest on Friday night at Victory Field. Starter Aaron Brooks pitched four innings, gave up six runs on five hits, struck out three and walked two.

Kyle Ryan threw a scoreless fifth to earn his fifth win of the season. Rehabbing Jordan Hicks surrendered one run in two innings of relief. Zach McAllister allowed one run in the eighth. Freddy Pacheco tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his first save.

Memphis put up three runs in each of the second, third, and fourth innings. In the second, Delvin Perez blasted a three-run home run. In the third, Conner Capel drew a walk, Pedro Pages singled, and Alec Burleson walked. Clint Coulter ground into a force out and Capel was thrown out at home. Pages scored on a throwing error. Scott Hurst plated Burleson on a single. Evan Mendoza doubled, and Coulter scored.

In the fourth, Coulter hit a three-run long ball to increase the Memphis lead to 9-0. The Indians fought back and put up six runs in the fifth to cut the lead to 9-6.

The Cardinals made it 10-6 on an RBI single by Burleson in the sixth. Indianapolis scored one in the seventh.

Memphis added the 11th run in the eighth on another RBI single by Burleson. The Indians scored their final run in the home half of the eighth.

Hurst went 3-for-5 with an RBI. Burleson was 3-for-4 with two runs driven in. Capel was 2-for-3 with three runs scored. Pages was 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Coulter and Perez each had three RBI.

Alec Burleson

On the base paths, Capel stole his 16th base of the season.

Memphis has a record of 40-30 and is in second place in the International League West, 1 game back of first place Nashville.

Saturday’s game:  at Indianapolis, TBD (MEM) vs. Mike Burrows RHP (0-0, 6.00) 6:05 CT.

Springfield 7 at NW Arkansas 1

The Cardinals defeated the Naturals by a six-run margin on Friday night. Michael McGreevy took the mound for Springfield. The right-hander pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up one unearned run on six hits, fanned eight and walked three. McGreevy got the win, his third of the season.

Domingo Robles threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Tyler Pike tossed a scoreless ninth.

The game was scoreless until the fifth inning when the Cardinals posted one run in the top of the inning. Aaron Antonini doubled and later scored on a throwing error.

NW Arkansas tied it in the home half of the fifth. Springfield answered with a six-run sixth inning. Jordan Walker led off with a double. Moises Gomez walked. The runners advanced on a wild pitch. Malcom Nunez plated Walker on a single. Nick Dunn walked, and Chandler Redmond doubled to score Gomez and Nunez. Jonah Davis hit a three-run home run to center field.

The 7-1 score remained through the rest of the game. Nunez was 3-for-5 with an RBI. Dunn was 2-for-3. Antonini was 2-for-4. Redmond had two RBI. Davis drove in three.

Malcom Nuñez

In the field, Masyn Winn made a throwing error.

Springfield was 29-38 in the first half and was in last place in the Texas League North, 11 games back of first place Tulsa. The Cardinals are 1-0 in the second half.

Saturday’s game:  at NW Arkansas, Gordon Graceffo RHP (2-1, 2.73) vs. Anthony Veneziano LHP (4-4, 5.46) 6:05 CT.

Peoria 4 at South Bend 13

The Chiefs were walloped by the Cubs in a 13-4 game on Friday night. Dionys Rodriguez suffered his eighth loss of the season. The right-hander pitched five innings, gave up seven runs on 10 hits, struck out four and walked two.

Enmanuel Solano surrendered six runs, four earned in two innings of relief. John Beller tossed a scoreless eighth.

Peoria scored first with a run in the top of the first. Mike Antico drew a walk and stole second base. Antico advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Osvaldo Tovalin.

The Cubs answered with one run in the home half of the first to tie the game. The Chiefs went up 3-1 in the second. Ramon Mendoza singled and Luis Rodriguez reached on an error. Mendoza and Rodriguez scored on a wild pitch and a throwing error.

The Cubs took the lead in third with three runs scored. South Bend increased the lead to 7-3 in the fifth. Peoria added their fourth run in the sixth on an RBI double by Carlos Soto.

South Bend added to their lead to blow the game open with four runs in the bottom of the sixth and two runs in the seventh.

Tovalin was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Mendoza was 2-for-4.

Osvaldo Tovalin

On the base paths, Antico stole his 34th base of the season. Tommy Jew swiped his 16th bag.

In the field, Francisco Hernandez made a throwing error.

Peoria was 28-38 in the first half and was in fifth place in the Midwest League, 15 games back of first place Cedar Rapids. They are 0-1 in the second half.

Saturday’s game:  at South Bend, TBD (PEO) vs. DJ Herz LHP (1-1, 2.17) 6:05 CT.

Palm Beach 9, St. Lucie 6

The Cardinals defeated the Mets on Friday night at Roger Dean Stadium. Bryan Pope got the start for Palm Beach. The right-hander pitched five innings, gave up four runs on seven hits, fanned eight and walked one.

Carlos Guarate relieved Pope and surrendered two runs in four innings of relief. Guarate got the win, his third of the season.

The Mets took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Beach Birds plated one run in the home half of the first to make it 3-1. Jeremy Rivas doubled and scored on a passed ball.

St. Lucie added to their lead with one run in the fifth. Palm Beach added two runs in the bottom of the fifth to push the score to 4-3 The runs came home on an RBI triple by Brady Whalen and a double from Aaron McKeithan.

The Cardinals took the lead in the sixth with a three-run inning to go up 6-4 on a three-run shot by Darlin Moquete.

Darlin Moquete

They scored two more in the seventh on a two-run long ball by Sander Mora. The lead increased to 9-4 in the eighth. Rivas led off with a ground rule double. Whalen singled and McKeithan was hit by a pitch. Jhon Torres ground into a double play and Rivas scored.

The Mets rallied for two runs in the ninth for the final score of 9-6.

Rivas went 2-for-3 with three runs scored. Whalen was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Moquete had three RBI and Mora drove in two.

In the field, Moquete made a fielding error. Guarate picked a runner off first base.

Palm Beach was 30-34 in the first half in the FSL East, 9.5 games back of first place St. Lucie. The Cardinals are 1-0 in the second half.

Saturday’s game:  vs. St. Lucie, Trent Baker RHP (4-6, 2.80) vs. Jordany Ventura RHP (0-0, 0.00) 5:00 CT 

FCL Cardinals 1 at FCL Astros Orange 2 (10 innings)

The Cardinals (7-6) were edged by the Astros Orange in a 2-1 game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on Friday. Hancel Rincon took the mound for the Cardinals. The right-hander pitched five scoreless innings, allowed two hits, and fanned seven.

Hancel Rincon

Victor Villanueva relieved Rincon and threw 2/3 scoreless innings. Enrique Saldana, Angel Cuenca, and Alejandro Cervantes, combined for the next 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Brayan Ramirez surrendered two runs in the 10th and took the loss. Ramirez was also charged with a blown save.

The game was scoreless for all nine innings in regulation. In the top of the 10th, the Cardinals scored their only run. With ghost runner Romtres Cabrera at second base, Samil De La Rosa reached on a fielder’s choice, with a throwing error on the Astros shortstop. Romtres scored.

In the home half of the 10th, the Astros scored the two winning runs on a fielding error by Cardinals second baseman Adari Grant

The Cardinals scored one run on five hits. No Cardinal had multiple hits. The only extra base hit was a double by Fernando Diaz.

In the field, Grant made a fielding error, and Jose Zapata made an error on a pickoff.

Saturday’s game:  vs. FCL Marlins, TBD vs. TBD 9:00 am CT.

DSL Cardinals 5, DSL Nationals 18

The Cardinals (6-9) were shellacked by the Nationals in an 18-5 laugher on Friday morning. Nelfy Ynfante got the start for the Cardinals. The right-hander pitched 2 2/3 innings, gave up four runs, two earned, on three hits, fanned five and walked four.

Alexander Beltre relieved Ynfante and threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. Jovi Galvez surrendered five runs without recording an out. Henry Gomez allowed six runs, four earned, in two innings. Bruno Lopez relinquished three runs, two earned, in the ninth. Galvez took the loss, his third of the season.

The Nationals scored first in the game with three runs in the top of the first. The Cardinals responded with one run in the home half of the first. Maycol Justo reached on a fielding error, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Maikel Hernandez walked. Justo scored on a wild pitch.

The Nationals added a run in the third, and the Cardinals did the same in the bottom of the third on an RBI single by Yaisel Ramos.

In the fifth, a solo home run by Ramos cut the lead to 4-3. The Cardinals took a 5-4 lead in the sixth on a two-run single by Justo.

The Nationals blew the game open by scoring six runs in the seventh, one run in the eighth, and seven runs in the ninth.

Ramos was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Justo drove in two.

Yaisel Ramos

In the field, Marcelo Perez made two throwing errors. Justo, Hernandez, and Elias Reynoso each made a throwing error. Keshawn Rombley had a fielding miscue. Rombley had an outfield assist at third base. Beltre picked a runner off first base. Hernandez had a passed ball.

Saturday’s game:  vs. DSL Braves, TBD vs. TBD 10:00 am CT.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – June 23, 2022

photo: Masyn Winn (Ryan Dowd/Palm Beach Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system went 2-2 on Wednesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, SS Masyn Winn had two hits, two walks, two steals and two runs scored in Springfield’s road win. Other standouts: Jake Woodford, Moises Gomez, Zane Mills and Hayes Heinecke.

Results from games played Wednesday, June 22.



Memphis 0 at Indianapolis 2

The Memphis Redbirds were blanked by the Indians in a 2-0 road contest on Wednesday. Jake Woodford started for Memphis. The right hander pitched six innings, gave up two runs on six hits, fanned six and walked one. Woodford took the hard-luck loss, his second of the season.

Jake Woodford

James Naile tossed the final two scoreless innings.

The game was scoreless until the fifth when the Indians scored twice. The Redbirds offense was held to five hits. They were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring positions and left six runners on base.

At 2-for-2 with a walk, Evan Mendoza was the only Redbird with multiple hits. The only extra base hit was a triple by Ben DeLuzio.

On the base paths, Conner Capel was caught stealing for the sixth time. In the field, catcher Austin Romine picked a runner off second base.

Memphis has a record of 38-30 and is in third place in the International League West, 3 games back of first place Nashville.

Thursday’s game:  at Indianapolis, RHP Tommy Parsons (4-1, 4.08) vs. RHP Cody Bolton, 6:05 CT.

Springfield 9 at NW Arkansas 6

The Springfield Cardinals defeated the Naturals by a three-run margin in Wednesday night’s contest at Arvest Ballpark. Connor Lunn took the mound for Springfield first. The right hander pitched three innings, gave up four runs on six hits, struck out one and walked one.

Garrett Williams surrendered only an unearned run in four innings of relief. Michael Brettell allowed one run in the final two innings. Williams received the win, his first of the season.

Springfield got on the board first with one run in the first inning. Masyn Winn singled but was out at second on a force out by Nick Dunn. Moises Gomez singled, followed by a Malcom Nunez single that scored Dunn.

NW Arkansas took the lead in the third with a three-run burst, then added another in the fourth. The Cardinals cut the lead to 4-2 in the top of the fifth on a bases loaded walk by Gomez.

The Naturals got the run back in the home half of the fifth to lead 5-2. The Cardinals roared back in the sixth with a five-run onslaught. Matt Koperniak was hit by a pitch. Nick Raposo drew a walk. Roberto Baldoquin doubled to plate Koperniak and Raposo. Baldoquin advanced to third on a sac bunt. Winn walked. Dunn walked. Baldoquin and Raposo scored on a force out by Jordan Walker with a throwing error. Gomez doubled to plate Walker.

Moisés Gómez

Springfield added to their 7-5 lead with one run in the seventh on a solo home run by Jonah Davis. An RBI single by Raposo scored a ninth run in the eighth. NW Arkansas added their final run in the ninth for the final score of 9-6.

Gomez was 3-for-4 including a double with two RBI. Winn was 2-for-4 with two walks and two runs scored. Baldoquin was 2-for-5 with two RBI.

Masyn Winn

Player of the Day Winn also stole two bases. Baldoquin was caught stealing for the first time. Chandler Redmond and Walker each made throwing errors.

Springfield is 27-38 and is in last place in the Texas League North, 11 games back of first place Tulsa.

Thursday’s game:  at NW Arkansas, Edgar Escobar RHP (3-3, 6.41) vs. Alec Marsh RHP (1-5, 7.24) 7:05 CT.

Peoria 0 at South Bend 1

The Peoria Chiefs were blanked by the Cubs in a low scoring road contest on Wednesday. Zane Mills started for Peoria. The right hander pitched seven innings, gave up one run on four hits and struck out three. It was the first seven-inning outing for a Chiefs pitcher in 2022, yet Mills was saddled with an undeserved loss, his fourth against one win.

Zane Mills

Nathanael Heredia tossed a scoreless eighth.

The only run of the game was scored by South Bend in the third inning. The Chiefs had only four hits all evening and were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. The only extra base hit was a double by L.J. Jones. Tyler Reichenborn, Todd Lott, and Ramon Mendoza singled.

Peoria is 28-37 on the season and stands in fifth place in the Midwest League West, 15 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Thursday’s game:  at South Bend, RHP Wilfredo Pereira (3-3, 3.92) vs. Jordan Wicks LHP (1-3, 4.32) 6:05 CT.

Palm Beach 4, St. Lucie 2

The Palm Beach Cardinals beat the Mets in a 4-2 contest at Roger Dean Stadium on Wednesday. Tink Hence started for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched 2 2/3 innings, gave up two runs on one hit, struck out four and walked two.

Alfredo Ruiz relieved and got the final out of the third inning. Three newcomers – Griffin Roberts, Chris Holba, and Jack Ralston – threw a scoreless inning each. Lefty Hayes Heinecke tossed the final three scoreless innings to earn the win, his third of the season.

Hayes Heinecke

The Mets took a 2-0 lead in the third inning. The lead held until the sixth when the Beach Birds cut the lead to 2-1. Matt Chamberlain singled, and Brady Whalen was hit by a pitch. Aaron McKeithan plated Chamberlain on a single.

Palm Beach went up 4-2 in the eighth. Chamberlain was hit by a pitch and Whalen and McKeithan drew walks to jam the sacks. Chamberlain scored on a wild pitch. Leonardo Bernal walked. Whalen scored on a wild pitch. Sander Mora singled to plate McKeithan.

McKeithan was 2-for-3 with an RBI. No other Cardinal had multiple hits. Mora had an RBI.

In the field, Bernal had a passed ball.

Palm Beach is 29-34 and is in third place in the FSL East, 10.5 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Thursday’s game:  vs. St. Lucie, Inohan Paniagua RHP (3-4, 2.25) vs. Joel Diaz RHP 5:30 CT

FCL Cardinals (7-4) – Off day

Thursday’s game: vs Astros Orange, TBA vs. TBA 9:30 am CT.

DSL Cardinals (5-8) – Off day

Thursday’s game:  at DSL Mariners, TBA vs. TBA 10:00 am CT.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – June 22, 2022

photo: Aaron McKeithan (Springfield Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 4-1 on Tuesday with the FCL rained out. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is Palm Beach catcher Aaron McKeithan, who was 2-for-3 with an RBI and scored the winning run in the 2-1 win over division leader St. Lucie.

Results from games played Tuesday, June 22.



Memphis 4 at Indianapolis 7

The Memphis Redbirds fell in Indianapolis by a 7-4 score on Tuesday night. Jordan Hicks, in his first rehab appearance, took the mound first for Memphis. The right hander pitched one scoreless inning with no hits and one walk.

Packy Naughton surrendered one run in three innings of relief. Angel Rondon was charged with six runs, three earned, in 2 1/3 innings. Zach McAllister tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Rondon took the loss, his first of the season.

Memphis took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a solo home run by Luken Baker. The Indians tied it up in the third.

Indianapolis took a 2-1 lead in the sixth, then plated five runs in the seventh to increase the lead to 7-1. The Cardinals answered in the eighth on a two-run home run by Paul DeJong. Ben DeLuzio tripled to plate a run in the ninth for the fourth and final Memphis score.

Luken Baker

DeLuzio went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Corey Dickerson, restarting his rehab assignment, was 2-for-2. DeJong had two RBI.

In the field, Rondon made a throwing error.

Memphis has a record of 38-29 and stands in third place in the International League West, 2.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Wednesday’s game:  at Indianapolis, RHP Jake Woodford (0-1, 5.14) vs. RHP Osvaldo Bido, 12:35 CT.

Springfield 5 at NW Arkansas 3

The Springfield Cardinals were the victors in a 5-3 contest at NW Arkansas on Tuesday night. Kyle Leahy started for Springfield. The right hander pitched 4 2/3 innings, gave up three runs on five hits, fanned seven and walked four.

Grant Black threw two scoreless innings of relief to earn his third win of the season. Ryan Loutos tossed the final 2 1/3 scoreless innings and earned his second save.

Ryan Loutos

Springfield took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Masyn Winn led off with a double and advanced to third on a ground out. Winn scored on a sac fly by Jordan Walker. Moises Gomez then thumped a solo home run to left center field, his MiLB-leading 22nd.

Moisés Gómez

The Cardinals added to their lead with one run in the third and one run in the fourth. In the third, a second Walker sac fly made it 3-0. Nick Raposo added a sac fly in the fourth for the fourth run for Springfield.

The Naturals scored all three of their runs in the fifth inning. Springfield made it 5-3 in the seventh on a bases loaded walk by Gomez.

Matt Koperniak was the only Cardinal with multiple hits, as he was 2-for-4. Walker and Gomez each had two RBI.

On the base paths, Winn stole his second base for Springfield. Winn was also caught stealing for the second time.

Springfield is 26-38 and sits in last place in the Texas League North, 12 games back of first place Tulsa.

Wednesday’s game:  at NW Arkansas, Connor Lunn RHP (2-3, 4.36) vs. TBD 12:05 CT.

Peoria 7 at South Bend 4

The Peoria Chiefs defeated the Cubs in an evening contest at Four Winds Field on Tuesday. Austin Love started for Peoria. The right hander pitched six innings, gave up four runs on nine hits and fanned five.

Enmanuel Solano relieved and threw two scoreless innings for the win, his first of the season. Gianluca Dalatri tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his third save.

Gianluca Dalatri

South Bend scored first with one run in the second inning. The Chiefs tied it in the top of the fifth on a solo home run by Ramon Mendoza.

The Cubs plated three in the home half of the fifth to take the lead 4-1. In the eighth, Peoria tied it again. Mike Antico walked and stole second base. Tyler Reichenborn walked. Osvaldo Tovalin doubled, and Antico scored. Reichenborn scored on a sac fly by Todd Lott. L.J. Jones doubled to plate Tovalin.

The Chiefs took the lead 7-4 in the ninth on a two-run single by Antico and an RBI force out by Tovalin.

Mike Antico

Mendoza went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Antico and Tovalin each drove in two.

On the base paths, Antico stole two bases for 33 on the season. Francisco Hernandez was picked off first base.

In the field, Hernandez made a throwing error.

Peoria is 28-36 on the season and sits in fifth place in the Midwest League West, 14 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Wednesday’s game:  at South Bend, RHP Zane Mills (2-5, 3.99) vs. Daniel Palencia RHP (0-2, 4.78) 6:05 CT.

Palm Beach 2, St. Lucie 1

The Palm Beach Cardinals topped the first place St. Lucie Mets in a one-run game at Roger Dean Stadium on Tuesday night. Alex Cornwell took the mound for Palm Beach. The left hander pitched five innings, gave up one run on four hits, fanned six and walked one.

Roy Garcia threw four scoreless innings of relief to earn his second win of the season.

Roy Garcia

The Beach Birds plated their first run in the first inning. Brady Whalen doubled and scored on a single by Aaron McKeithan.

The Mets tied it at 1-1 in the fourth. In the seventh, McKeithan doubled and scored on a single by Jeremy Rivas.

Aaron McKeithan

McKeithan went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Jhon Torres was 2-for-3.

On the base paths, Rivas stole his sixth base of the season.

Palm Beach is 28-34 and is in third place in the FSL East, 11.5 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. St. Lucie, Tink Hence RHP (0-1, 0.60) vs. Jeffrey Colon RHP (0-0, 3.38) 5:30 CT.

FCL Cardinals at FCL Astros Blue (postponed)

The game between the Cardinals and the Astros was postponed due to rain. It will be made up on Monday, July 4.

Wednesday’s game:  Off

DSL Cardinals 5, DSL Tigers2 6 (eight innings)

The Dominican Summer League Cardinals (5-8) were edged by the Tigers2 in a 6-5 contest on Tuesday morning. Juan Salas started for the Cardinals. The right hander pitched four innings, gave up three runs on five hits, struck out four and walked two.

Jovi Galvez relieved and surrendered two runs in one inning pitched. Bruno Lopez threw one scoreless inning but was tagged with a blown save as he allowed Galvez’ two inherited runners to score. Diego Dominquez tossed a scoreless seventh. Oliver Lopez allowed one run in the eighth and took the loss, his first of the season.

The Tigers scored immediately with one run in the top of the first inning. The Cardinals quickly tied it in the home half. Jonathan Mejia drew a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Carlos Carmona.

The Cardinals took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second on a solo home run by Miguel Vargas, and later on a wild pitch.

The Tigers knotted the game at 3-3 in the third. The Cardinals retook the lead with two runs in the fourth on a two-run single by Marcelo Perez.

Marcelo Perez

The Tigers came back with two runs in the sixth to tie the game again, then added the winning run in the eighth

Catcher Maikel Hernandez was 2-for-3 and was the only Cardinal with multiple hits. Perez had two RBI.

On the base paths, Yordalin Pena stole his second base of the season. Mejia made a fielding error. Pena had an outfield assist at second base.

Wednesday’s game:  Off


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St. Louis Cardinals MLB Notebook – Week of June 13-19

photo: Paul Goldschmidt (Billy Hurst/USA TODAY Sports)

The St. Louis Cardinals went 4-3 on the week and share a piece of first place heading into Milwaukee. May NL Player of the Month Paul Goldschmidt continues to lead a resurgent offense. Our Blast from the Past recounts key events this past week in Cardinals history.



Game recaps

Monday, June 13 – Cardinals 7, Pirates 5

The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of a four-game series at Busch Stadium on Monday night. Lefty Zack Thompson started and pitched five innings, gave up five runs on seven hits, struck out two and walked two.

T.J. McFarland relieved Thompson and threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Giovanny Gallegos, Genesis Cabrera, and Ryan Helsley combined to toss the final 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Gallegos received the win, Helsley earned his fifth save.

The Pirates were the dominant team for the first half of the game, scoring one run in the second and four more in the fifth to lead the Redbirds 5-0.

St. Louis rebounded in the sixth inning to tie the game at 5-5. Paul Goldschmidt led off with a double. Tyler O’Neill singled. Brendan Donovan doubled to right to plate Goldschmidt and O’Neill. Juan Yepez singled, and Dylan Carlson followed with a three-run home run to right center field.

Dylan Carlson

Goldschmidt hit a solo home run in the seventh to give the Cardinals a 6-5 lead. In the eighth. Carlson doubled and Andrew Knizner sac bunted Carlson to third, but the throw to first on Knizner was not caught and Carlson scored. St. Louis led 7-5, which became the final score.

Goldschmidt was 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Carlson was 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Donovan drove in two.

On the base paths, O’Neill stole his fifth base of the season. Yepez had an outfield assist at second base.

Tuesday, June 14 – Cardinals 3, Pirates 1 (Game 1)

The Cardinals were the winners of the first game of a twin bill against the Pirates in St. Louis. Matthew Liberatore started for the Cardinals. The left hander pitched five scoreless innings, allowed three hits, fanned five and walked two to earn his second win of the season.

Matthew Liberatore

Drew VerHagen relieved Liberatore and threw a scoreless sixth. Genesis Cabrera surrendered one run in 1 1/3 innings. Ryan Helsley got the final two outs of the eighth. Giovanny Gallegos tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his ninth save.

The Cardinals got on the board in the third inning on a two-run home run by Paul Goldschmidt. The third and last run came in the fourth. Yadier Molina and Edmundo Sosa each reached on errors. Nolan Gorman drew a walk. Paul Goldschmidt hit a ground ball to shortstop and Gorman ran through the bag at second to draw the throw as Molina scored. Sosa attempted to score but was thrown out at home.

The Pirates scored their only run in the seventh on a solo home run.

Goldschmidt was 2-for-4 with three RBI. He was the only Cardinal with multiple hits. Hits by Molina, Bader, Donovan, O’Neill and Pujols were all singles.

Tuesday, June 14 – Cardinals 9, Pirates 1 (Game 2)

The Cardinals blew past the Pirates in the second game of the twin bill on Tuesday. Miles Mikolas started for St. Louis. The right hander pitched 8 2/3 innings and no-hit the Pirates until the final out of the ninth inning. He struck out six and walked one. Mikolas earned the win, his fifth of the season.

Miles Mikolas

Packy Naughton got the final out of the ninth.

The Cardinals took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a solo home run by Tommy Edman and a two-run long ball by Paul Goldschmidt. Four more runs were added in the second. Harrison Bader was hit by a pitch. Edman singled. Bader scored on a single by Brendan Donovan. Goldschmidt then hit a three-run bomb to center field. The Cardinals led 7-0.

The Pirates sole run was scored in the fourth. The Cardinals added their final runs in the sixth on a two-run double by Nolan Gorman.

Donovan was 4-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored. Goldschmidt was 4-for-4 with five RBI and three runs scored. Gorman was 2-for-5 with two RBI.

On the base paths, Bader was caught stealing for the first time this season. In the field, Donovan made a throwing error and Juan Yepez had a fielding miscue.

Wednesday, June 15 – Cardinals 4, Pirates 6

The Cardinals lost the final game of the series to the Pirates on Wednesday. Jack Flaherty made his first start of the season after coming off the injured list. The right hander was not at his best. In three innings, Flaherty gave up four runs, two earned, on three hits, struck out three and walked two.

Johan Oviedo threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. Andre Pallante surrendered two runs in 2 1/3 innings. T.J. McFarland tossed the final 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Pirates scored twice in both the first and second. The Cardinals answered with one run in the home second on a solo home run by Dylan Carlson.

St. Louis tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth. Harrison Bader led off with a triple. Tommy Edman drew a walk. Brendan Donovan doubled to plate Bader and Edman. Nolan Arenado walked. Nolan Gorman reached on a fielder’s choice, moving Donovan to third and Arenado to second on a throwing error. Donovan scored on a force out by Tyler O’Neill.

In the seventh, the Pirates retook the lead 6-4 on a two-run home run by Bryan Reynolds hit off Pallante. The Cardinals could not answer.

Brendan Donovan

Donovan was 3-for-4 with two RBI. He was the only Cardinal with multiple hits. Extra base hits were the Carlson long ball, triple by Bader, and doubles from Donovan and Goldschmidt.

On the base paths, Edman was caught stealing for the second time.

In the field, Flaherty and Molina each made throwing errors.

Thursday, June 16 – Off day

Friday, June 17 – Cardinals 5 at Red Sox 6

The Cardinals played a weekend interleague series against Red Sox in Boston beginning on Friday. St. Louis dropped the opener despite rallying for four runs in the ninth inning. Adam Wainwright took the mound for this contest. The right hander pitched 6 1/3 innings, gave up four runs on seven hits, fanned five and walked one. Wainwright took the loss, his fifth of the season.

T.J. McFarland relieved in the seventh and surrendered two runs without recording an out. Nick Wittgren tossed the final 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Boston went up 1-0 in the first inning. The Cardinals tied it in the second on a solo home run by Nolan Arenado.

The Red Sox took a 3-1 lead in the fourth, then added three more in the seventh to increase the lead to 6-1. They took that lead into the ninth. With the Cards down to their last out, Dylan Carlson started a rally with a double to center. Harrison Bader followed with a triple that plated Carlson. Andrew Knizner was hit by a pitch. Tommy Edman doubled, and Bader scored. Brendan Donovan plated Knizner and Edman on a double. With the lead reduced to 6-5 and two outs on the board, Paul Goldschmidt struck out to end the rally one run short.

Edman was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Arenado was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Carlson was 2-for-3 and Bader was 2-for-4 with a run driven in. Donovan had two RBI.

Saturday, June 18 – Cardinals 11 at Red Sox 2

The Cardinals bounced back from the disappointing loss on Friday to pummel the Red Sox for 11 runs to win the second game of the series at Fenway Park. Dakota Hudson started for St. Louis. The right hander pitched five innings, gave up two runs on four hits, struck out three and walked five. Hudson received the win, his fifth of the season.

Zack Thompson relieved and threw three scoreless innings. T.J. McFarland tossed a scoreless ninth.

The Cardinals began their scoring spree in the first inning with a two-run home run by Nolan Arenado. Dylan Carlson’s RBI double made it 3-0 in the second.

Boston scored the first of their two runs in the home half of the second. In the fourth, the Cardinals plated a fourth run on a Nolan Gorman solo long ball. The Red Sox added their final run in the home fourth.

From there the Cardinals ran up the score with six runs in the sixth inning. Tyler O’Neill thumped a solo shot. Carlson drew a walk. Harrison Bader singled and Andrew Knizner walked. Tommy Edman followed with a single that scored Carlson and Bader. Brendan Donovan reached on a fielder’s choice error by the Boston first baseman. Paul Goldschmidt singled to score Knizner and Edman. Donovan came home on an Arenado single.

The Cardinals topped it all off with a final run in the ninth. Bader singled and scored on a ground rule double by Knizner.

Tyler O’Neill

O’Neill went 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Bader was 3-for-5. Arenado was 2-for-4 with three RBI. Goldschmidt was 2-for-5 with two runs driven in. Edman plated two.

Sunday, June 19 -Cardinals 4 at Red Sox 6

The Cardinals lost the rubber game of the series in a 6-4 contest remarkably similar to the first game. Andre Pallante started and pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up two runs on four hits, struck out four and walked one. He took the loss, his second.

Just as in Game 1, the Red Sox scored first, this time in the second inning. Again, like the first game the Cardinals tied it at 1-1 in the fourth but not on a home run. Tyler O’Neill singled, stole second base, and scored on a single by Harrison Bader.

Boston regained the lead 2-1 in the fifth. The Red Sox made it 3-1 in the seventh, then added three runs in the eighth.

As in Game 1, the Red Sox took a 6-1 lead into the ninth, when the Cardinals again rallied. Tyler O’Neill doubled but suffered a hamstring injury and had to come out of the game. He was pinch ran for by Edmundo Sosa. Nolan Gorman, pinch hitting for Albert Pujols, drew a walk. With two on and two outs, Juan Yepez, pinch hitting for catcher Ivan Herrera, hit a three-run home run to left field to cut Boston’s lead to 6-4. Tommy Edman singled and advanced to second on an error. Brendan Donovan came to bat and struck out to end the inning, just like Goldschmidt did to end the rally in Game 1.

Juan Yepez

On the base paths, O’Neill stole his sixth base of the season but was also caught stealing for the third time. Bader swiped his 15th bag to tie Edman for the NL lead.

In the field, Herrera had a passed ball.

NL Central Standings

Team W L Pct GB
Milwaukee 38 30 0.559
St. Louis 38 30 0.559
Pittsburgh 26 39 0.400 10.5
Chicago 25 41 0.379 12
Cincinnati 23 43 0.348 14

The Big Picture

The Cardinals finished the week with a record of 4-3. They won 3 of 4 from the Pirates but lost 2 of 3 to the Red Sox. With the Brewers win and the Cardinals loss on Sunday the two teams are now tied for first place in the NL Central.

St. Louis’ offense continues to roll, and score runs. The number of players with an OPS above .800 for the week has increased to six from only one a couple of weeks ago. The top players are:  Paul Goldschmidt (1.482), Dylan Carlson (1.190), Brendan Donovan (1.005), Harrison Bader (.967), Tyler O’Neill (.965), and Tommy Edman (.887).

Paul Goldschmidt

At the bottom offensively is Edmundo Sosa, with a .000 OPS in four games. Yadier Molina, who went on the IL on Thursday has an OPS of .250 in two games. Albert Pujols in four games has an OPS of .258. The offense has taken a hit with the injury to O’Neill however, and there have been no updates as to the severity of the injury at this time.

If the Cardinals can keep the offense going this way (even possibly without O’Neill) and the pitching improves, the team will be in terrific shape. This happening, however, is remote at this time since the pitching has not improved significantly over the last several weeks and there doesn’t appear to be any changes going forward other than the return of Jack Flaherty, which has already happened, and the return of Steven Matz, which still has not happened.

The bullpen once again has disappointed. After Sunday’s game, a clearly frustrated Oli Marmol enunciated quite forcefully the need for “right handers who can get outs in the middle innings.”  Whether that is a call for our current right handers to get it together or a call for some other right handers directed at the front office, is anyone’s guess. In any case, the bullpen is a mess.

The rotation for the most part has been okay. Miles Mikolas narrowly missed a no hitter in the second game of the doubleheader on Tuesday. Wainwright has been fine, though has not pitched his best lately. Dakota Hudson has a walk problem which he hasn’t fixed but needs to. Jack Flaherty’s first start wasn’t great, but he should get better. That fifth spot is taken by Andre Pallante for now, and he is pitching relatively well. The timing of the  return of Steven Matz is unknown at this time.

The Cardinals meet the Brewers for four games this week, so the battle for first place goes head-to-head. The Cardinals seem to play the Brewers better in Milwaukee for some unknown reason. Home runs are easier to hit there than at Busch Stadium, so that may be part of it. This is a very important series that the Cardinals must win or at least get a split.

The Cubs will come to St. Louis this weekend for the first time this season. The Cardinals won the previous five-game series at Wrigley though it was very competitive. This series is only three, so a sweep or winning two games at least would be ideal.

Trade and Acquisition Rumors

There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.

Transactions

  • 6/14 The Cardinals recalled LHP Matthew Liberatore from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/15 The Cardinals optioned LHP Packy Naughton to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/15 The Cardinals optioned LHP Matthew Liberatore to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/15 The Cardinals activated RHP Jack Flaherty from the 60-day injured list.
  • 6/15 The Cardinals designated C Ali Sanchez for assignment.
  • 6/16 The Cardinals sent LF Corey Dickerson on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/17 The Cardinals placed C Yadier Molina on the 10-day injured list retroactive to June 16. Right knee inflammation.
  • 6/17 The Cardinals recalled C Ivan Herrera from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/18 C Ali Sanchez was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers.

Injury Report

  • RHP Jack Flaherty (right shoulder) was activated from the 60-day injured list and made his first start against the Pirates on Saturday.
  • RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) remains on the 60-day IL. The right hander received a second opinion and has had surgery on the shoulder. Whether the injury is season-ending is yet to be determined.
  • LHP Steven Matz (left shoulder stiffness) left his last start on May 22 with stiffness in his pitching arm. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 23. Matz had a setback in his rehab as his recovery has been slower than expected. He received a second injection in his shoulder. The left hander was expected to make a rehab assignment soon but that has been put off for now.
  • RHP Jordan Hicks (right forearm flexor) was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 26, retroactive to May 25. The right hander has thrown two bullpen sessions and is expected to be sent out on a rehab assignment soon.
  • OF/DH Corey Dickerson (strained left calf) was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 5. Dickerson was sent on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds on June 16 and is expected to be back on the roster soon.
  • C Yadier Molina (right knee inflammation) was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 17, retroactive to June 16. Molina has been battling knee soreness for a while but has been playing through it. It was determined that some time on the injured list was needed. The catcher will be shut down for a short time to let the inflammation subside before any next steps are decided. At least three weeks to a month is being estimated as his return time.
  • LF Tyler O’Neill left Sunday’s game in Boston with hamstring tightness. No further information is available.

Looking Ahead

The Cardinals begin a four-game series at the Brewers on Monday. Miles Mikolas is scheduled to make the Monday start, with Jack Flaherty starting on Tuesday. Adam Wainwright will go on Wednesday and Dakota Hudson on Thursday.

Following the Milwaukee series, the Cardinals return to St. Louis for a six game homestand, three games each with the Cubs and the Marlins.

Beginning July 1, the Cardinals travel to Philadelphia for a weekend series with the Phillies. The road trip concludes with four games in Atlanta against the Braves.

The Cardinals then return home for a 10-game homestand that begins with a weekend series against the Phillies.

The regular season schedule can be found here.

Blast from the Past

This week’s Blast from the Past again remembers notable events that took place in franchise history during the period June 13 through June 19. June 15 is especially important because it was the trade deadline for many years before it was moved to July 31 in the collective bargaining agreement of 1986. The most recent CBA includes changes to this date again. Going forward, the Commissioner may set the trade deadline date on any date between July 28 and August 3. In 2022, the trade deadline is August 2.

Below is a list of memorable events during the period June 13 through June 19. Some significant trades in franchise history took place on June 15.

June 13, 1997 – The Cardinals acquired right-handed pitcher Fernando Valenzuela along with Scott Livingstone and Phil Plantier from the San Diego Padres and sent San Diego Rich Batchelor, Danny Jackson and Mark Sweeney.

Fernando Vina (Getty Images)

June 13, 2000 – The Cardinals traded Juan Acevedo, Eliezer Alfonzo and Matt Parker to the Milwaukee Brewers for second baseman Fernando Vina.

June 14, 1926 – The Cardinals acquired Billy Southworth from the New York Giants for Heinie Mueller. Future Hall of Famer Southworth played a significant role in the Cardinals first World Championship title in 1926. Southworth also managed the Cardinals in 1929, and again from 1940-1945, a period in which the team won two more World Series titles.

June 14, 1956 – The Cardinals traded Red Schoendienst, Bill Sarni, and Dick Littlefield to the New York Giants for Alvin Dark, Whitey Lockman, Ray Katt, and Don Liddle.

June 14, 2010 – The Cardinals signed free agent pitcher Jeff Suppan. This was Suppan’s second time with the Cardinals, as he was part of the Cardinals starting rotation in the 2006 World Series season.

Lou Brock

June 15, 1964 – The infamous “Brock for Broglio” trade was made on this date. The Cubs sent Future Hall of Famer Lou Brock, Jack Spring, and Paul Toth to the Cardinals for Ernie Broglio, Doug Clemens, and Bobby Shantz.

June 15, 1977 – The Cardinals traded Bake McBride and Steve Waterbury to the Phillies for Rick Bosetti, Dane Iorg, and Tom Underwood. McBride, who was from Fulton, MO, had been the NL Rookie of the Year in 1974.

June 15, 1983 – The Cardinals traded former MVP first baseman Keith Hernandez to the Mets for pitchers Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey. It was not a good trade for the Cardinals and was dubbed by Mets catcher John Stearns as “The biggest heist since the Thomas Crown Affair.”  The Cardinals’ stated reason for the trade was a need for pitching, but most believed the true motivation was a poor relationship between Hernandez and manager Whitey Herzog. Herzog claimed Hernandez had a bad attitude and didn’t hustle or arrive on time. It was later revealed that Hernandez had developed a cocaine habit, though Herzog denied this was a motivating factor but admitted he suspected the drug use.

June 15, 1984 – The Cardinals acquired Ken Dayley and Mike Jorgensen from the Braves for third baseman Ken Oberkfell.

Ken Boyer

June 16, 1964 – Cardinals third baseman Ken Boyer hit for the cycle in a 7-1 win over the Astros. In that same game, newly acquired Lou Brock made his Cardinal debut and had two hits, including a triple, and stole a base.

June 16, 2001 – Albert Pujols made his first and so far only career sacrifice bunt in a game against the White Sox. It was in the seventh inning with the Cardinals leading 6-3. There were two runners on and no outs and Pujols, batting cleanup, decided to bunt and advance the runners. Bobby Bonilla followed Pujols and was intentionally walked. With the bases loaded, Craig Paquette singled to right field and scored the two runners, Placido Polanco and J.D Drew. The Cardinals won the game 8-3.

June 18, 1940 – Cardinals pitcher Bob Bowman beaned former Cardinal Ducky Medwick, who had just been traded to the Giants a week earlier. Bowman and Medwick had gotten into an argument in an elevator before the game and it was believed Bowman hit Medwick intentionally. An investigation cleared Bowman of wrongdoing.

June 19, 1996 – Cardinals shortstop Ozzie Smith announced he would retire at the end of the season. Smith was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2002.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – June 18, 2022

photo: Jonathan Mejia (St. Louis Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 2-4 on Friday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is DSL Cardinals shortstop Jonathan Mejia, who was 2-for-2 including a double with 2 RBI and four walks. Other standouts include Malcom Nunez and Mike Antico.

Results from games played Friday, June 17.



Memphis 1, Nashville 4

The Memphis Redbirds fell to the Sounds in a Friday night contest at AutoZone Park. Jake Woodford got the start for Memphis. The right hander pitched 2 1/3 innings, gave up three runs on four hits, struck out three and walked five. Woodford took the loss, his first of the season at Triple-A.

Kyle Ryan

Kyle Ryan relieved and threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings to keep the Redbirds in the game. Blake Parker hurled a scoreless seventh. Jacob Bosiokovic surrendered one run in the eighth. Junior Fernandez tossed a scoreless ninth.

Nashville went up 1-0 in the top of the first inning, but Memphis answered in the home half of the first to tie it. Ben DeLuzio walked, Lars Nootbaar singled, and Alec Burleson plated DeLuzio on a double play.

The Sounds took a 3-1 lead in the third, and added their fourth and final run in the eighth. Memphis was shut down offensively after the first inning.

No Redbird hitter had multiple hits and there were no RBI. All six Memphis hits were singles.

On the base paths, Paul DeJong was caught stealing for the first time.

Memphis has a record of 37-27 and is tied with Columbus for second place in the International League West, 1.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Nashville, TBA vs. RHP Brandon Woodruff, 6:35 CT.

Springfield 10, Corpus Christi 11

The Springfield Cardinals lost a squeaker to the Hooks in a slugfest at Hammons Field on Friday night. Edgar Escobar had a rough start on the mound for Springfield. The right hander pitched 1 2/3 innings, gave up five runs on six hits and struck out three.

Domingo Robles also struggled, surrendering six runs in 2 2/3 innings of relief. Dalton Roach threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings to hold the line. Grant Black tossed a scoreless ninth.

Dalton Roach

The Cardinals posted three runs in the first inning on three-run long ball by Malcom Nunez. Corpus Christi plated five runs in the second inning to take a 5-3 lead. Springfield responded with one run in the home half of the second on a solo home run by Jonah Davis.

Malcom Nuñez

The Cardinals tied the score at 5-5 in the third. Chandler Redmond singled and advanced on a wild pitch and a throwing error. Nunez plated Redmond on a single.

The Hooks regained the lead with one run in the fourth, then widened their tally with five more runs in the fifth to make it 11-5.

The Cardinals fought back with two runs in the seventh on Nick Dunn’s two-run home run. Springfield added two more to make it 11-9 in the eighth. Julio Rodriguez walked, and Delvin Perez reached on a fielder’s choice with errors on the shortstop. Perez stole second base. Davis walked and Rodriguez scored. Justin Toerner walked, and Nick Dunn walked to plate Perez.

The Cardinals rallied again in the ninth but were only able to score one. Redmond and Matt Koperniak walked, and pinch hitter Moises Gomez singled. Redmond scored on a force out by Masyn Winn.

Nunez went 3-for-5 with four RBI. No other Cardinal had multiple hits. Dunn drove in three.

On the base paths, Perez stole his 13th base of the season. Dunn was caught stealing. In the field, Redmond made a throwing error and Perez had a fielding miscue.

Springfield is 25-36 and is in last place in the Texas League North, 10 games back of first place Tulsa.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Corpus Christi, Michael McGreevy RHP (2-1, 4.03) vs. TBA, 6:35 CT.

Peoria 8, West Michigan 9

The Peoria Chiefs were topped by the Whitecaps in a one-run contest at Dozer Park on Friday night. Starter Wilfredo Pereira pitched five innings, gave up five runs on six hits, struck out four and walked three. Pereira took the loss, his third of the season.

Leonardo Taveras surrendered two runs in two innings of relief. Gianluca Dalatri allowed two runs in the final two innings.

West Michigan put up one run in the second inning, then added two more in the third to increase the lead to 3-0. The Whitecaps continued to widen the tally with two in the top of the fourth.

In the home half of the fourth, Peoria finally got on the board, via a two-run long ball by Francisco Hernandez. The Chiefs added a third run in the fifth. Tommy Jew doubled and scored on a double by Mike Antico.

Francisco Hernandez

West Michigan increased its lead to 7-3 in the seventh, then to 9-3 in the eighth. In the bottom of the eighth, Peoria scored five times to pull to within one run. Todd Lott was hit by a pitch. Aaron Antonini singled. Hernandez singled to plate Lott. Ramon Mendoza drew a walk. Antonini and Hernandez scored on a force out with a throwing error by Noah Mendlinger. Jew singled and Antico drove in Mendlinger and Jew on a double.

Mike Antico

Antico was 2-for-5 with three RBI. Hernandez was 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Jew was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

In the field, Antonini picked a runner off second base.

Peoria is 26-35 and sits in fifth place in the Midwest League West, 13 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Saturday’s game:  vs. West Michigan, LHP John Beller (2-0, 2.66) vs. Carlos Guzman RHP (3-4, 5.24) 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 0 at Clearwater 4

The Palm Beach Cardinals were shut out by the Threshers by a 4-0 margin in Clearwater on Friday night. Inohan Paniagua got the start for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched seven innings, gave up two runs on five hits and fanned five. Paniagua took the loss, his fourth of the season.

Inohan Paniagua

Nelfri Contreras relieved Paniagua and surrendered two runs in the eighth.

Clearwater got on the board 1-0 in the second inning, then added a run in the sixth and two runs in the eighth. The Threshers pitching kept the Cardinals off the board for the entire game. They were held to six total hits that included doubles by Matt Chamberlain and Jhon Torres. The offense was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.

On the base paths, Leonardo Bernal stole his first bag of the season. Sander Mora swiped his fourth.

In the field, Contreras made a throwing error.

Palm Beach is 27-32 and is in third place in the FSL East, 11.5 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Saturday’s game:  at Clearwater, Bryan Pope RHP (0-0, 3.80) vs. Jean Cabrera RHP (1-2, 4.35), 6:30 ET

FCL Cardinals 4 at FCL Nationals 3 (10 innings)

The Florida Complex League Cardinals (6-3) edged the Nationals in a 10-inning contest in which the Cardinals scored their four runs without benefit of a hit. The Cardinals sent eight different pitchers to the mound. The starter was Angel Cuenca, who was pitching on a rehab assignment from Palm Beach. The right hander pitched one scoreless no-hit inning, struck out two and walked one.

Following Cuenca was one scoreless inning from rehabbing Peoria pitcher Jack Ralston. Chris Holba threw a scoreless inning, followed by Springfield rehabber Griffin Roberts for one scoreless inning. Edwin Nunez surrendered one run in the fifth and was charged with a blown save. Hancel Rincon pitched the next 3 2/3 innings and gave up two runs, one earned. Victor Villanueva secured the last out of the ninth and received the win, his second of the season. Wilmer Ortega tossed a scoreless 10th to earn his first save.

The Cardinals scored the first of their four runs in the third inning. Diego Velasquez was hit by a pitch. Javier Bolivar walked. Velasquez advanced to third on a wild pitch. Lizandro Espinosa plated Velasquez on a ground out.

The Nationals tied it at 1-1 in the fifth before the Cardinals posted two runs in the sixth. Jake Burns and Luis Pino reached on errors. Romtres Cabrera reached on the third error of the frame as Burns scored. Pino stole home for the second run of the inning.

Luis Piño

The Nats tied the game for the second time in the ninth. The game went into the 10th and the Cardinals tallied the winning run when the ghost runner scored on yet another throwing error on a ground out to third.

The Nats no-hit the Cardinals with four pitchers yet lost the game thanks to five errors, all from the left side of the infield. Two Cardinals received RBI, Espinoza and Cabrera. The offense was 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left six runners stranded.

On the base paths, Bolivar, Cabrera and Pino each stole a base. Burns and Cabrera were caught stealing.

In the field, Espinoza made a fielding error. Catcher Edgardo Rodriguez was a defensive replacement for Burns and picked a runner off third base.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Nationals, TBA vs. TBA 9:00 am CT.

DSL Cardinals 6 at DSL Boston Blue 2

The Dominican Summer League Cardinals (4-6) defeated the Boston Blue in a Friday morning contest. Alexander Beltre started for the Cardinals. The left hander pitched three innings, gave up two runs on five hits, struck out two and walked two.

Nelfy Ynfante relieved Beltre and threw four scoreless innings to earn his first win as a professional. Omar Yanez tossed the final two scoreless innings.

Nelfy Ynfante

Boston scored first with two runs in the third inning. The Cardinals quickly tied it with two runs in the fourth. Miguel Vargas doubled and Keshawn Rombley rapped and RBI single. Rombley then scored on a single by Anyelo Encarnacion.

In the fifth, a run came home on a wild pitch. In the sixth, the Cardinals scored their fourth run on an RBI double by Jonathan Mejia.

The final two runs for the Cardinals were recorded in the seventh on a bases loaded walk and an RBI single by Mejia.

Leadoff man Mejia was the only Cardinal with multiple hits, as he was 2-for-2 including a double with two RBI and four walks. The only other extra base hit was a double by Vargas.

On the base paths, Mejia was caught stealing for the first time.

Saturday’s game:  vs. DSL Diamondbacks, TBA vs. TBA 10:00 am CT.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – June 16, 2022

photo: Tink Hence, Jose Moreno, Roy Garcia (St. Louis Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 2-2 on Wednesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Players of the Day are Palm Beach pitchers Tink Hence, Jose Moreno, and Roy Garcia, who combined to throw a nine-inning no-hitter against the Clearwater Threshers. Other standouts include Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson.

Results from games played Wednesday, June 15.



Memphis 4, Nashville 8 (10 innings)

The Memphis Redbirds fell to the Sounds in a 10-inning contest on Wednesday night at AutoZone Park. James Naile started for Memphis. The right hander pitched four innings, gave up one run on four hits, struck out four and walked one.

Brandon Waddell relieved and threw three scoreless innings. Junior Fernandez hurled a scoreless eighth. Jacob Bosiokovic surrendered one run in the ninth. Kyle Ryan allowed six runs, five earned, in the 10th to take the loss, his first of the season.

Nashville scored the first run in the fourth. Memphis tied the game in the sixth on a solo home run by Alec Burleson. In the eighth, the Redbirds took a 2-1 lead on an inside-the-park home run by Burleson.

Alec Burleson

The Sounds came back to tie it 2-2 in the ninth. In the top of the 10th, Nashville rocked Redbirds reliever Ryan for six runs to jump ahead 8-2.

The Redbirds tried to rally in the bottom of the 10th but fell short. An RBI double by Lars Nootbaar and a single by Burleson brought two runs home but no more.

Burleson went 3-for-5 including two home runs with three RBI. Ben DeLuzio was 2-for-5. Conner Capel was 2-for-4.

On the base paths, DeLuzio was picked off first base. In the field, Paul DeJong made a fielding error. DeLuzio had an outfield assist at second base. Ivan Herrera picked a runner off first base.

Memphis has a record of 36-26 and is tied for second place with Columbus, 1.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Nashville, RHP Angel Rondon (2-0, 3.58) vs. Tyler Herb RHP (0-2, 6.48) 7:05 CT.

Springfield 10, Corpus Christi 8

The Springfield Cardinals outlasted the Hooks in a contest that went down to the wire at Hammons Field on Wednesday night. Kyle Leahy took the mound for Springfield. The right hander pitched three innings, gave up six runs, five earned, on five hits, struck out two and walked two.

Dalton Roach relieved and surrendered one run in 2 1/3 innings. Tyler Pike allowed one run in 1 2/3 innings and was tagged with a blown save. Ryan Loutos tossed the final two scoreless innings to earn the win, his first at Double-A.

Corpus Christi took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, then added five more runs in the second. In the fourth, Springfield fought back, scoring seven runs. Jordan Walker singled and Moises Gomez followed with a double. Malcom Nunez walked to load the bases. Justin Toerner drew a walk and Walker scored. Julio Rodriguez also walked to plate Gomez. Nunez scored on a walk to Delvin Perez. Masyn Winn then singled to right field and cleared the bases. Winn then scored on a wild pitch. The Cardinals led 7-6.

Masyn Winn

The Hooks came back to score single runs in the sixth and seventh to regain the lead 8-7. Springfield tied it up  in the eighth on an RBI double by Perez.

In the home half of the ninth inning, Walker hit a two-run home run to walk it off for the Cardinals.

Jordan Walker

Walker went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Winn was 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Perez drove in two.

On the base paths, Jonah Davis stole his second base of the season. In the field, Loutos made an error on a pickoff and Nick Dunn had a fielding miscue.

Springfield is 25-34 on the season and stands in last place in the Texas League North, 8.5 games back of first place Wichita.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Corpus Christi, Connor Lunn RHP (2-3, 4.46) vs. Misael Tamarez RHP (1-3, 4.71) 7:05 CT.

Peoria 4, West Michigan 12

The Peoria Chiefs were thrashed by the Whitecaps on Wednesday at Dozer Park. Austin Love started for Peoria. The right hander pitched 3 2/3 innings, gave up five runs on seven hits, struck out five and walked two. Love got the loss, his seventh of the season.

Nick Trogrlic-Iverson surrendered two runs, one earned, in 3 1/3 innings of relief. Turning it into a blowout, Enmanuel Solano allowed five runs in the final two innings.

West Michigan took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. The Threshers increased the lead to 4-0 in the third. Peoria got on the board in the home half of the third with one run on an RBI double by Mike Antico.

The West Michigan added one run in each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to widen their tally to 7-1. The Chiefs scored two runs in the seventh. Antico drew a walk, then stole second base. Tyler Reichenborn walked. Todd Lott grounded into a force out and Antico scored. Lott later came home on a single by Francisco Hernandez.

The Threshers increased the lead to 8-3 in the top of the eighth. In the bottom of the frame, Peoria scored their final run. Ramon Mendoza doubled and scored on a force out by Antico.

West Michigan scored four additional runs in the ninth to bring the final score to 12-4.

L.J. Jones was 3-for-5. Tommy Jew was 3-for-4. Antico drove in two.

Mike Antico

On the base paths, Antico stole his 29th base of the season. Jew was picked off first base. In the field, Luis Rodriguez made a throwing error. Antico had a fielding miscue. Jew had an outfield assist at home.

Peoria is 25-34 and sits in fifth place in the Midwest League West, 13 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Thursday’s game:  vs. West Michigan, RHP Logan Gragg (4-4, 4.28) vs. Keider Montero RHP (3-2, 4.82) 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 5 at Clearwater 0

The Palm Beach Cardinals blanked the Threshers in their home park on Wednesday. Three Palm Beach pitchers combined to throw a nine inning no-hitter.

First up was Tink Hence, who pitched three scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Hence was relieved by Jose Moreno, who threw three scoreless innings with two strikeouts and three walks. Finally, Roy Garcia tossed three scoreless innings with four strikeouts and one walk. Moreno got the win, his first of the season. Garcia earned his third save.

Tink Hence

Jose Moreno

Roy Garcia

The game was scoreless until the Beach Birds scored four runs in the seventh inning. Jhon Torres hit a solo home run. Leonardo Bernal doubled and scored on a single by Darlin Moquete. Osvaldo Tovalin singled. Brady Whalen plated Moquete and Tovalin on a double.

The Cardinals added a fifth run in the eighth on an RBI single by Bernal. Tovalin went 3-for-3. Bernal was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Whalen drove in two.

Palm Beach is 26-41 and is in third place in the FSL East, 12 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Thursday’s game:  at Clearwater, Chris Gerard LHP (2-3, 4.24) vs. Gabriel Cotto LHP (1-1, 4.26) 5:30 CT.

FCL Cardinals (5-2) – Off day

Thursday’s game:  at FCL Mets, TBA vs. TBA 11:00 am CT.

DSL Cardinals (2-6) – Off day

Thursday’s game:  vs. DSL Angels, RH Ronny Oliver (0-0, 6.00) vs. TBA 9:30 am CT.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – June 15, 2022

photo: Gordon Graceffo (Springfield Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 4-2 on Tuesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is Springfield starter Gordon Graceffo, who pitched seven scoreless innings on three hits with six strikeouts. Other standouts include Ali Sanchez, Moises Gomez, Tyler Reichenborn and Trent Baker.

Results from games played Tuesday, June 14.

Memphis 7, Nashville 3

The Memphis Redbirds defeated the first place Nashville Sounds in a Tuesday night contest at AutoZone Park. Aaron Brooks took the mound for Memphis. The right hander pitched five innings and gave up two runs on five hits, struck out five and walked one. Brooks got the win, his second of the season.

Tommy Parsons threw two scoreless innings of relief. Kodi Whitley surrendered one run in the ninth. Zach McAllister got the final out of the ninth to earn his first save.

Memphis took the lead in the third with two runs. Evan Mendoza singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Ben DeLuzio singled. Lars Nootbaar plated Mendoza on a sac fly. DeLuzio scored on a wild pitch.

The Sounds tied it at 2-2 in the fifth. The Cardinals regained the lead 5-2 on a three-run home run by Ali Sanchez in the home half of the fifth.

Ali Sanchez

The lead increased to 7-2 in the sixth on a solo long ball by Conner Capel and another sac fly from Nootbaar.

Nashville scored one run in the ninth, but the Memphis bullpen held on for the win.

DeLuzio went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Mendoza was 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Sanchez had three RBI and Nootbaar plated two.

On the base paths, DeLuzio stole his 19th base of the season.

Memphis has a record of 36-25 and is in second place in the International League West, 0.5 game back of first place Nashville.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Nashville, RHP James Naile (2-2, 3.68) vs. Tyler Herb RHP (0-2, 6.48) 7:05 CT.

Springfield 3, Corpus Christi 0

The Cardinals blanked the Hooks in a 3-0 shutout at Hammons Field on Tuesday night. Gordon Graceffo started for Springfield. The right hander pitched seven scoreless innings, allowed three hits and fanned six to earn his second Double-A win.

Gordon Graceffo

Grant Black relieved and threw a scoreless eighth. Freddy Pacheco tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his eighth save in 10 opportunities.

The Cardinals scored first with a fifth inning solo home run by Malcom Nunez. Matt Koperniak hit a long ball in the seventh to make it 2-0. An eighth inning home run by Moises Gomez plated the third and final run.

Moisés Gómez

Gomez was 2-for-4 with the home run and a double.

In the field, Jordan Walker made his 15th error of the season, a fielding miscue. Pedro Pages picked a runner off first base.

Springfield is 24-34 on the season and sits in last place in the Texas League North, nine games back of first place Wichita.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Corpus Christi, Kyle Leahy RHP (3-6, 6.28) vs. TBA 6:35 CT.

Peoria 7, West Michigan 8

The Chiefs were edged by the Whitecaps in a Tuesday night game at Dozer Park. John Beller started for Peoria in place of Dionys Rodriguez but did not get out of the first inning. The left hander gave up three runs on two hits and three walks in 2/3 of an inning.

Rodriguez relieved Beller and surrendered four runs in 5 1/3 innings. Levi Prater threw two scoreless innings. Gianluca Dalatri allowed one run in the ninth and took the loss, his second of the season.

West Michigan took a 3-0 lead in the first. The Chiefs scored one in the home half of the inning. Mike Antico singled and stole second base. Tyler Reichenborn singled to plate Antico.

Peoria put four runs on the board in the third to take a 5-3 lead. Thomas Francisco and Reichenborn hit two-run singles. Francisco drove in a sixth run in the fifth on a sac fly.

The Threshers regained the lead with four runs scored in the fifth. The Chiefs tied it at 7-7 in the seventh. Mack Chambers singled and Antico was hit by a pitch. A sac bunt by Reichenborn moved the runners. Aaron Antonini was hit by a pitch and Chambers scored.

A solo home run in the ninth put West Michigan by a run and Peoria was unable to rally in the bottom of the inning.

Tyler Reichenborn

Reichenborn went 2-for-3 with a walk and three RBI. Francisco also plated three.Antico was 2-for-5 and Chambers was 2-for-5. L.J. Jones 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

On the base paths, Antico stole his 28th base of the season. Hernandez swiped two bags. Antonini was caught stealing for the second time.

In the field, Chambers made a fielding error. Prater picked a runner off first base.

Peoria is 25-33 and is in fifth place in the Midwest League West, 15 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. West Michigan, RHP Austin Love (3-6, 7.20) vs. Ty Madden RHP (3-4, 3.58) 11:05 am CT.

Palm Beach 4 at Clearwater 1

The Palm Beach Cardinals were victorious over the Threshers in a 4-1 road contest on Tuesday night. Trent Baker took the mound for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched seven innings, gave up one run on four hits, struck out four and walked one to earn his fourth win of the season.

Trent Baker

Edgar Manzo tossed two scoreless innings of relief for his second save of the season.

The game was scoreless until the fifth inning when the Beach Birds scored. Adanson Cruz singled and advanced to second on a balk. Cruz came home on a single by Brady Whalen.

The Cardinals increased the lead to 2-0 in the sixth. Brandon Hernandez singled and Cruz singled. Darlin Moquete plated Hernandez on a single.

Clearwater finally scored in the seventh. Palm Beach made it 3-1 in the eighth on an RBI single by Cruz. The fourth and final Cardinal run came in the ninth on an RBI single by Aaron McKeithan.

McKeithan went 3-for-5 with an RBI. Cruz was 3-for-4 with one driven in. Whalen was 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. Osvaldo Tovalin was 2-for-5.

On the base paths, Elijah Cabell stole his first base of the season. Matt Chamberlain swiped this third base. Tovalin was picked off and caught stealing for the first time.

Palm Beach is 25-31 on the season and is in third place in the FSL East, 12.5 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Wednesday’s game:  at Clearwater, Tink Hence RHP (0-1, 0.75) vs. Eiberson Castellano RHP (1-0, 2.12) 11:00 am CT.

FCL Cardinals 9, FCL Mets 3

The Florida Complex League Cardinals (5-2) defeated the Mets on Tuesday morning on the back fields of Roger Dean Stadium. Rehabbing Peoria pitcher Jack Ralston tossed the first scoreless inning with no hits allowed and one strikeout.

Another pitcher on a rehab assignment, Springfield’s Griffin Roberts, followed with a scoreless inning. Chris Holba threw a scoreless inning. Yonael Dominguez surrendered one run in three innings of relief and got the win, his first of the season.

Edwin Nunez allowed one unearned run in the seventh. Alejandro Cervantes relinquished a run in the eighth. Brayan Ramirez tossed a scoreless ninth.

The Cardinals put up seven runs in the first inning. Lizandro Espinosa led off with a walk. Carlos Linarez doubled, and Espinoza scored on a single by Francis Reynoso. Luis Pino walked. Jose Cordoba singled and Linarez scored. Patrick Romeri (also on a rehab assignment from Palm Beach) plated Reynoso on a bases loaded walk. Pino scored on a walk from Javier Bolivar. Espinoza singled to score Cordoba and Romeri. Bolivar scored on a Linarez single.

The Mets scored one run in the fourth and another in the seventh. The Cardinals plated their final two runs in the home half of the seventh on RBI doubles by Cordoba and Romeri.

Jose Cordoba

Linarez was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Cordoba was 2-for-3 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored. Espinoza and Romeri each drove in two.

In the field, Nunez made a throwing error and Reynoso had a fielding miscue. Holba picked a runner off first base.

Wednesday’s game:  Off day.

DSL Cardinals 3 at DSL Texas Blue 7

The Dominican Summer League Cardinals (2-6) fell to the Texas Blue in a 7-3 Tuesday morning contest. Juan Salas started for the Cardinals. The right hander pitched three scoreless innings, allowed one hit and struck out three.

Juan Salas

Jovi Galvez relieved and surrendered five runs, two earned on two hits and walked four to suffer his second loss of the season. Miguel Martinez allowed one run in two innings of relief. Samuel Fabian relinquished one unearned run in the final two innings.

The Cardinals took a 1-0 small ball lead in the second inning. Miguel Vargas drew a walk, advanced to second and third on wild pitches and scored on a balk.

The Cardinals added two more in the fourth to make it 3-0. Vargas again led off the inning with a walk, then stole second base. Yancel Guerrero was hit by a pitch. After a rain delay, the game resumed, and Keshawn Rombley walked. Marcelo Perez also walked, and Vargas scored. Guerrero scored on a force out by Jonathan Mejia.

The lead evaporated in the fifth when Texas put up five runs to take a 5-3 lead. They added one run in the sixth and one run in the seventh to increase the lead to the final tally of 7-3.

The Cardinals scored their three runs without a hit. The offense was held to only two hits in the game, a double by Yordalin Pena and a single from pinch hitter Jose Suarez.

On the base paths, Vargas stole his first base of the season. In the field, Elias Reynoso had a throwing error and a fielding error. Perez had a fielding miscue. Pena had an outfield assist at second base, and catcher Alejandro Loaiza had a passed ball.

Wednesday’s game: Off day.


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St. Louis Cardinals MLB Notebook – Week of June 6-12

photo: Andre Pallante (St. Louis Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals went 2-4 on the week but hold a small division lead as Milwaukee is slumping. The back end of the rotation remains in flux with rookie Andre Pallante pressed into duty. Our Blast from the Past recounts key events this past week in Cardinals history.



Game recaps

Monday, June 6 – Off day

Tuesday, June 7 – Cardinals 2 at Rays 4 (10 innings)

The St. Louis Cardinals fell to the Rays in the first of a three game series in Tampa. The Cardinals lost in extra innings on a walk off three-run home run after they took a 2-1 lead in the top of the inning.

Dakota Hudson

Dakota Hudson made the start and pitched very well. The right hander went seven innings, gave up one run on two hits, fanned six and walked one. Hudson was relieved by Giovanny Gallegos, who threw a scoreless eighth. Ryan Helsley tossed a scoreless ninth. Drew VerHagen gave up the winning runs with two outs in the bottom of the 10th.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning, when the Rays took a 1-0 lead. The Cardinals quickly tied it at 1-1 in the eighth. Lars Nootbaar drew a walk. Tyler O’Neill singled, and Harrison Bader plated Nootbaar on a single.

Neither team scored in the ninth. In the top of the 10th inning, with Tommy Edman on second, Paul Goldschmidt reached on a fielder’s choice. Nolan Arenado was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Nootbaar’s sac fly scored Edman and St. Louis took a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the 10th, VerHagen walked the first batter to join the ghost runner. With two men on and two outs, VerHagen gave up a home run to Rays shortstop Taylor Walls and the Rays won in a walk off.

O’Neill went 2-for-5. Bader was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Molina was 2-for-4.

In the field, Edmundo Sosa made a fielding error.

Wednesday, June 8 – Cardinals 3 at Rays 11

The Cardinals were the victims of a shellacking in the second game of the series with the Rays. St. Louis started some time starter, sometime reliever Packy Naughton in this contest, as the team struggles with injuries to the rotation.

Naughton didn’t last long, going 1 1/3 innings. The right hander gave up four runs on five hits in that span, with no walks and no strikeouts. Naughton took the loss, his second of the season.

Johan Oviedo came in to bail out Naughton and he surrendered one run in 2 2/3 innings. Next came Nick Wittgren, who allowed three more Rays runs in the fifth inning. Struggling reliever T.J. McFarland followed with three more runs relinquished in two innings. It was future Hall of Fame catcher Yadier Molina who was the only Cardinal hurler to have a scoreless inning. Molina gave up two hits and struck out one while pitching the eighth.

The Cardinals scored three runs in the game. The first was a fourth inning solo home run by recently-returned left fielder Tyler O’Neill. They added two runs in the sixth, once again driven in by O’Neill on a ground ball single up the middle.

Tyler O’Neill

O’Neill was 2-for-4 with three RBI. The six other hits by Cardinals were all singles from Harrison Bader, Brendan Donovan, Tommy Edman, Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Gorman, and Juan Yepez.

Thursday, June 9 – Cardinals 1 at Rays 2

The Rays completed the home sweep over the Cardinals on Thursday. This was the first time the Cardinals were swept in 2022.

Miles Mikolas

Miles Mikolas pitched an eight-inning complete game. The right hander did his best, but his offense didn’t support him. Mikolas gave up two runs on three hits and punched out nine Rays. The game lasted only 1 hour and 52 minutes.

The Rays took the 2-0 lead in the fourth. The Cardinals put up their only run in the sixth. Paul Goldschmidt drew a walk. Nolan Arenado singled. Albert Pujols reached on a throwing error by Rays starter McClanahan and Goldschmidt scored. The pitcher’s duel ended with a 2-1 win by Tampa Bay.

In addition to Arenado’s single, Pujols doubled. Those were the only two St. Louis hits. Ten Cardinals struck out. Only Pujols and Knizner did not strike out.

Friday, June 10 – Cardinals 2, Reds 0

The Cardinals returned to St. Louis after being swept in Tampa to a weekend series with the cellar dwelling Reds.

The Cardinals started Andre Pallante. Pallante has spent all of his prior time on the roster in the bullpen but is being put into the rotation, at least on a temporary basis. Pallante pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings, gave up four hits, struck out four and walked two to earn his second win of the season, first as a starter.

Andre Pallante

Genesis Cabrera relieved Pallante and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Giovanny Gallegos and Ryan Helsley each tossed a scoreless inning. Helsley earned his fourth save.

The Cardinals took the 2-0 lead in the first inning. Paul Goldschmidt drew a walk. Nolan Arenado singled and Goldschmidt scored on a throwing error. Tyler O’Neill singled, and another throwing error scored Arenado.

The scoring ceased over the final eight innings. Arenado and O’Neill each went 2-for-4. Tommy Edman and Dylan Carlson singled. There were no extra base hits on either side.

Saturday, June 11 – Cardinals 5, Reds 4

The Cardinals won the second game of the series in a ninth inning walk off. The Reds took an early lead and held on to the end, only to lose in the ninth.

This was an Adam Wainwright start. The right hander pitched seven innings, gave up three runs on eight hits, fanned seven and walked one. Drew VerHagen relieved in the eighth and surrendered one run. Nick Wittgren tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his first win of the season.

The Reds scored three runs off Wainwright in the third inning. The Cardinals didn’t score until the sixth. Tommy Edman singled and Nolan Gorman was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch advanced both runners. Nolan Arenado drew a walk. Edman scored on a sac fly by Tyler O’Neill.

The Reds added a fourth run to their tally in the eighth. The Cardinals answered with two runs in the home half of the inning to make it 4-3. Gorman was hit by a pitch for the second time. Arenado singled. O’Neill doubled to plate Gorman and Arenado.

In the bottom of the ninth with the Reds holding a one run lead, Dylan Carlson walked but was eliminated in a double play by Yadier Molina. With two outs and the bases empty, Juan Yepez singled. Edman then blasted a two-run home run to right center field for the 5-4 Cardinals walk off win.

Tommy Edman

Edman went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Arenado was 2-for-3. O’Neill drove in three for the second time this week.

On the base paths, O’Neill was caught stealing for the second time.

Sunday, June 12 – Cardinals 6, Reds 7

The Cardinals failed to complete the sweep, falling to the Reds 7-6 on Sunday. A two out rally in the ninth fell short.

Dakota Hudson took the mound for this contest. The right hander pitched seven innings and gave up six runs on nine hits, struck out two and walked two. After two very good starts in his last two games, it was not Hudson’s best start, and he suffered his third loss of the season.

Johan Oviedo relieved in the eighth and surrendered one run. T.J. McFarland tossed a scoreless ninth, a bright spot in what has been an otherwise dismal performance by the left hander this season.

The Cardinals got on the board first with one run in the first inning. The inning began with back-to-back singles by Tommy Edman and Nolan Gorman. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch before Edman scored on a second wild pitch.

St. Louis increased the lead to 3-0 in the third on a two-run blast by Nolan Arenado.

What looked like a great start by Hudson started going south in the fourth inning. A single and two walks loaded the bases and the Reds scored on a hit by pitch. A double play led to two outs but a second run for the Reds. A single tied the game at 3-3.

The Reds took the lead in the top of the fifth 4-3. The Cardinals quickly tied it in the home half of the fifth on an RBI ground rule double by Albert Pujols.

Hudson faltered again in the seventh and the Reds made it 6-4. A solo home run in the eighth widened the Cincinnati tally to 7-4.

The Cardinals failed to score in the bottom of the eighth and the Cardinals were down to their final out in the ninth. The rookies made their presence known when Brendan Donovan drew a walk and Juan Yepez hit his fifth home run to left to bring the score to 7-6. Pujols struck out swinging to end the rally.

Yepez went 3-for-5 with two RBI. Edman and Gorman were 2-for-5. Donovan was 2-for-4. Arenado drove in two.

On the base paths, O’Neill stole his fourth base of the season. In the field, McFarland picked a runner off first base.

NL Central Standings

Team W L Pct GB
St. Louis 34 27 0.557
Milwaukee 34 28 0.548 0.5
Pittsburgh 24 34 0.414 8.5
Chicago 23 36 0.390 10
Cincinnati 21 39 0.350 12.5

The Big Picture

The Cardinals had a rough week, going 2-4. They were swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in three games and won 2 of 3 from the Reds. St. Louis still has a narrow division lead only because Milwaukee is slumping badly.

This writer predicted last week that the Rays series was going to be very difficult and that not being swept was a win. The win did not come. A sweep of the Reds would have at least prevented a losing week, but that was not to be, either.

A combination of an offense that couldn’t handle the pitching of the Rays, and a Cardinals pitching staff that is in flux and has no stability, doomed the team for the week. The offense is not the primary issue, though improvement is still needed. The pitching remains the weakness.

The back end of the rotation is unstable. The injuries to starters and the lack of reliable depth in the minors has led to holes being filled by the Memphis shuttle and the movement of one key piece of the bullpen to the rotation on a temporary basis. While the team awaits the return of Flaherty and Matz, Andre Pallante has been inserted into the rotation. Pallante has been one of only four reliable relievers in the bullpen. Matthew Liberatore has been up and down from Memphis to take starts and another Memphis pitcher who has been kept in the bullpen, Zack Thompson, will make his first start this week. Flaherty has been pitching well in his rehab starts and will hopefully return after one more minor league tuneup. Matz is going to be out longer.

The bullpen needs an overhaul. If and when that will happen is the question. The big three of Ryan Helsley, Giovanny Gallegos, and Genesis Cabrera are the stabilizers but their usage is limited. Pallante is now starting. The remaining pitchers in the bullpen are not reliable on any kind of regular basis. Thompson has been mostly held back, probably due to the need to keep him as a starting possibility, which will now be realized in the doubleheader on Tuesday. When Jordan Hicks returns, it will likely be in the pen.

The team cannot continue winning with the pitching in the shape it is in. This is a front office problem. The lack of depth that many saw at the beginning of the season is rearing its ugly head for the second consecutive year.

Juan Yepez

The offense has been holding its own other than the meeting with the brick wall that is the Rays’ pitching. As would be expected from that encounter this week, the team OPS has fallen. The top performers for the week are Juan Yepez (.971), Nolan Arenado (.935) and Tyler O’Neill (.846). Paul Goldschmidt took a massive tumble from the top perch with an OPS over the last seven games of .451. Molina jumped up from the bottom to an OPS this week of .625. Andrew Knizner remains at the bottom (.000) along with Edmundo Sosa (.000).

A four-game series with the Pirates that includes a doubleheader begins on Monday. This should improve the offensive numbers if nothing else. The Pirates remain in third place in the Division, but it is a result of beating other teams. The Pirates typically don’t play the Cardinals well, but that could certainly change on a dime. The team ends the week in Boston against the Red Sox. The Sox aren’t the Rays, but it is an interleague series, the Cardinals don’t play in that ballpark much, and it will not be easy. I won’t predict this one but just will just hope for the best.

Trade and Acquisition Rumors

There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.

Transactions

  • 6/7 The Cardinals optioned RHP Jake Walsh to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/7 The Cardinals activated LF Tyler O’Neill from the 10-day injured list.
  • 6/7 The Cardinals sent RHP Jack Flaherty on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/7 The Cardinals sent RF Dylan Carlson on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/10 The Cardinals optioned OF Lars Nootbaar to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/10 The Cardinals activated RF Dylan Carlson from the 10-day injured list.

Injury Report

  • RHP Jack Flaherty (right shoulder) was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL to make room for the addition of Nolan Gorman to the big league roster. Flaherty made a rehab assignment for the Memphis Redbirds on June 10 and threw 59 pitches. The right hander will make at least one more rehab start (Wednesday in Memphis) before a decision is made to return him to the roster.
  • RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) remains on the 60-day IL. The right hander received a second opinion and has had surgery on the shoulder. Whether the injury is season-ending is yet to be determined.
  • LF Tyler O’Neill returned to the roster and started in the weekend series with the Reds.
  • RF Dylan Carlson returned to the roster and started in the weekend series with the Reds.
  • LHP Steven Matz (left shoulder stiffness) left his last start on May 22 with some stiffness in his pitching arm. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 23. Matz had a setback in his rehab as his arm recovery has been slower than expected. Matz had been expected to make a rehab assignment but that has been put off for now. He continues to throw off flat ground.
  • RHP Jordan Hicks (right forearm flexor) was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 26, retroactive to May 25. The right hander was scheduled to throw a bullpen session for the first time over the weekend. It is looking like Hicks will be ahead Matz in the expected return schedule and could be sent out for a rehab assignment within a week.
  • OF/DH Corey Dickerson (strained left calf) was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 5. Dickerson is expected to be out at least two weeks with the injury.

Looking Ahead

Following the weekend series with the Reds, the homestand will continue with a four game series with the Pirates, which includes a doubleheader on Tuesday. Zack Thompson will make the Monday start. Matthew Liberatore will start in Game 1 on Tuesday, with Miles Mikolas following in Game 2. Pallante will make Wednesday’s start.

Another road trip begins on June 17 with a three-game series in Boston followed by four in Milwaukee.

Following the Milwaukee series, the Cardinals return to St. Louis for a six game homestand, three games each with the Cubs and the Marlins.

Beginning July 1, the Cardinals travel to Philadelphia for a weekend series with the Phillies. The road trip concludes with four games in Atlanta against the Braves.

The regular season schedule can be found here.

Blast from the Past

This week’s Blast from the Past takes note of some significant events that occurred in Cardinals franchise history during the period June 6 through June 12. The following list contains important game events and accomplishments, team events of note, and significant transactions that occurred on those dates.

June 6, 1920 – The Cardinals played their final game at the ballpark that was their home field since 1893, Robison Field or Cardinal’s Park as it was renamed in 1917. The Cardinals defeated the Chicago Cubs by the score of 5-2. The team moved six blocks away to Sportsman’s Park, a field they shared with the other St. Louis team, the Browns. Money from the sale of the old park was used to finance the purchase of the Houston Buffaloes, the team that began the establishment of the first farm system, under the direction of Branch Rickey.

June 6, 1937 – The Cardinals were scheduled to play a doubleheader against the Phillies at the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia. The first game was played as scheduled and the Cardinals won 7-2. The second game was delayed by rain for 88 minutes. The game finally began but had to be finished by 7 pm local time due to a Philadelphia law. The Cardinals were leading 8-2 in the top of the fourth when the Phillies began stalling with mound conferences and pitching changes. Umpire Bill Klem took action and forfeited the game in favor of St. Louis. All the stats for the game were wiped out, including Joe Medwick’s 10th home run. The manager of the Phillies was fined for his actions.

June 6, 2014 – The Cardinals turned a triple play against the Toronto Blue Jays. The 4-6-3 began with a ground ball to Daniel Descalso then to Jhonny Peralta and Allen Craig.

Billy Southworth

June 7, 1940 – Cardinals owner Sam Breadon fired manager Ray Blades and hired Billy Southworth as manager. Back in 1929, Southworth had a brief stint as Cardinals manager, but it was not successful. This time, Southworth managed the Cardinals through the end of the 1945 season, winning two World Series.

June 7, 1960 – Bob Gibson tied a major league record with four strikeouts in one inning in a 9-1 loss to the Pirates. The fourth punchout was on a wild pitch.

June 8, 1959 – Catcher Tim McCarver was signed as an amateur free agent.

June 8, 1980 – Cardinals manager Ken Boyer was fired between the games of a doubleheader with the Expos in Montreal. Jim Krol took over as interim manager. Whitey Herzog was hired the next day.

June 9, 1947 – Red Schoendienst goes 0-for-12 in a doubleheader with the Phillies in Philadelphia.

Whitey Herzog

June 9, 1980 – Whitey Herzog becomes the manager of the Cardinals.

June 10, 2002 – The first time two Japanese players played in the same game occurred on this date. So Taguchi of the Cardinals and Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners appeared at Safeco Field. The Cardinals lost 10-0.

June 10, 2011 – Tony La Russa managed his 5,000th game on this date. The Cardinals lost to the Brewers in Milwaukee 8-0.

June 11, 1917 – Against the Phillies at Robison Field, with the game tied 4-4 in the 15th inning, catcher Mike Gonzalez stole home to give the Cardinals a 5-4 win.

June 12, 1940 – The Cardinals traded Joe Medwick to the Dodgers for outfielder Ernie Koy, pitcher Carl Doyle, two minor leaguers, and $125,000. The trade was reportedly due to Medwick being unhappy with his salary. Six days later Medwick was beaned by Cardinal pitcher Bob Bowman, an incident that led to Dodger players and manager Leo Durocher charging the mound. The Cardinals accused the Dodgers of sign stealing. An investigation was conducted with the final conclusion being that the beanball was not deliberate.

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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – June 11, 2022

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 2-4 on Friday. The Player of the Day is FCL Cardinals 3B Samil De La Rosa who hit for the cycle and was 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in the Cardinals loss to the Astros Orange.

Results from games played Friday, June 10.



Memphis 0, Durham 4

The Redbirds were blanked by the Bulls at AutoZone Park on Friday night. Jack Flaherty made his second rehab start for Memphis. Flaherty pitched four innings, gave up one on one hit and fanned six. Flaherty took the loss.

Jack Flaherty

James Naile relieved Flaherty and surrendered one run in two innings of relief. Angel Rondon allowed two runs in the seventh. Brandon Waddell tossed the final two scoreless innings.

The Bulls scored their first run on a solo home run off Flaherty. It was the only hit allowed by the right-hander. Durham added one run each in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings.

The Redbirds were held to four hits total. Two of those hits, both singles, came from Alec Burleson. The other two base hits were off the bats of Luken Baker and Clint Coulter. The Memphis offense was 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position and three runners were left on base.

On the base paths, Ben DeLuzio stole his 15th base of the season.

Memphis has a record of 33-25 and is in third place in the International League West, two games back of first place Nashville.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Durham, TBD vs. TBD 6:35 CT.

Springfield 3 at Midland 5

The Cardinals lost to the RockHounds in a Friday night contest at Momentum Bank Park. Kyle Leahy got the start for Springfield. The right hander pitched 5 1/3 innings, gave up five runs on six hits, fanned seven and walked one. Leahy took the loss, his sixth of the season.

Ryan Loutos relieved Leahy and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Freddy Pacheco tossed a scoreless eighth.

Midland took a 2-0 lead in the third inning. The Cardinals answered with three runs in the fourth. Moises Gomez led off the inning with a double. Chandler Redmond followed with a double. Gomez scored on a single by Pedro Pages. Justin Toerner doubled, and Redmond scored. Roberto Baldoquin plated Pages on a single. Springfield led 3-2.

The RockHounds regained the lead with a three run sixth inning. The Cardinals were unable to respond.

Redmond and Toerner were each 2-for-3. Toerner had an RBI. Pages and Baldoquin each drove in a run.

Justin Toerner

On the base paths, Jordan Walker stole his 14th base of the season.

Springfield is 21-34 and is in last place in the Texas League North, 12 games back of first place Wichita.

Saturday’s game:  at Midland, Connor Lunn RHP (2-3, 4.70) vs. TBD 7:00 CT.

Peoria 4, Quad Cities 3

The Chiefs topped the River Bandits in a one-run game at Dozer Park on Friday night. Logan Gragg was on the bump for Peoria. The right-hander pitched five innings, gave up one unearned run, five hits, struck out four and walked one. Gragg got the win, his fourth of the season.

Michael YaSenka relieved Gragg and surrendered two runs in two innings of relief. Gianluca Dalatri tossed the final two scoreless innings to earn his second save.

The Chiefs got on the board in the third inning, scoring two runs to take a 2-0 lead. Mike Antico’s solo home run plated the first run. Tyler Reichenborn singled, advanced to second on a balk, and scored on a single by L.J. Jones.

Mike Antico

Quad Cities scored their first run in the fifth. Peoria answered with one run in the home half of the fifth on an RBI single by Todd Lott. The Chiefs increased their 3-2 lead in the sixth. Jacob Buchberger and Francisco Hernandez each singled. Ramon Mendoza walked. Luis Rodriguez plated Buchberger on a single.

The River Bandits rallied in the eighth with two runs to make it a one run game. The Peoria bullpen held the lead to take home the 4-3 win.

Antico was 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Reichenborn was 2-for-4. Lott, Jones, and Rodriguez each had an RBI.

On the base paths, Reichenborn stole his sixth base of the season. In the field, Gragg made a throwing error.

Peoria has a record of 24-31 and is in fifth place in the Midwest League West, 12 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Quad Cities, TBD (PEO) vs. Adrian Alcantara RHP (2-3, 5.83) 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 3 at Tampa 2

The Cardinals edged the Tarpons in a 3-2 contest on Friday night. Starter Inohan Paniagua pitched seven innings, gave up one run on two hits, and fanned 14 to earn his third win of the season.

Inohan Paniagua

Hayes Heinecke relieved Paniagua and surrendered one run in two innings of relief to earn his second save of the season.

The Beach Birds scored all three of their runs in the second inning. Matt Chamberlain drew a walk. Jeremy Rivas singled. Elijah Cabell blasted a three-run home run to left center field.

Tampa scored the first of two runs in the third. The final run came home for the Tarpons in the eighth inning.

The Palm Beach bullpen held on to take the win home.

Rivas went 2-for-4. Darlin Moquete doubled for the only other extra base hit. Osvaldo Tovalin and Brady Whalen each singled. Cabell drove in three.

Palm Beach is 22-31 and is in third place in the Florida State League East, 13.5 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Saturday’s game:  at Tampa, Bryan Pope RHP (0-0, 3.63) vs. Chandler Champlain RHP (1-3, 3.51) 5:30 CT.

FCL Cardinals 2, FCL Astros Orange 5

The Cardinals (2-2) were defeated by the Astros Orange by the score of 5-2 in Friday morning’s contest at Roger Dean Stadium.

Chris Holba took the mound to start for the Cardinals. The right-hander pitched one scoreless inning with one hit allowed and two strikeouts.

Hancel Rincon relieved Holba and pitched the next two innings. The right-hander gave up three runs, two earned, on five hits, struck out one and walked one and took the loss. Ettore Giulianelli surrendered two runs, one earned in 1 2/3 innings of relief. Edwin Nunez threw the next 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Brayan Ramirez, Enrique Saldana, and Yordy Richard each tossed a scoreless inning.

The Astros took a 3-0 lead in the third inning. The Cardinals answered in the fourth with a run on an RBI single by Fernando Diaz.

The Astros added two more to their tally in the fifth to make it 5-1. The Cardinals scored their second and final run in the sixth on a solo home run by Samil De La Rosa.

De La Rosa hit for the cycle with a double in the second inning, a triple in the fourth, a home run in the sixth, and a single in the seventh. He was 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.

Samil De La Rosa

On the base paths, Diaz stole his first base of the season. De La Rosa was caught stealing for the first time.

In the field, De La Rosa made a throwing error, and Adari Grant had a missed catch error. Rincon picked a runner off first base. Catcher Diego Velasquez picked a runner off first base.

Saturday’s game:  at FCL Marlins, TBD vs. TBD 9:00 am CT. 

DSL Cardinals 4, DSL Rockies 6

The Cardinals (1-4) fell to the Rockies in a 6-4 contest on Friday morning. Leonel Sequera got the start for the Cardinals. The right-hander pitched 3 1/3 innings, gave up four runs on six hits, struck out four and walked one. Sequera took the loss, his first of the season.

Samuel Fabian relieved Sequera and surrendered two unearned runs in 1 2/3 innings. Junior Chirinos threw two scoreless innings. Miguel Martinez tossed the final two scoreless innings.

Miguel Martinez

The Cardinals scored first in the game with one run in the second inning. Jose Suarez led off with a single. Yaisel Ramos followed with a single. Suarez scored on a wild pitch and a throwing error.

The Cardinals added to their lead with another run in the third. Yancel Guerrero doubled and scored on a single by Maycol Justo.

The Rockies took the lead in the fourth with a four-run inning then added two to go up 6-2. The Cardinals scored one run in the seventh to make it 6-3 on an RBI double play. A final run was added in the eighth on a wild pitch.

The Cardinal offense scored four runs on five hits. They were 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left five men on base. The only extra base hits were doubles by Guerrero and Arfeni Batista.

In the field, Marcelo Perez made a throwing error, Elias Reynoso had a fielding miscue, and Fabian made an error on a pickoff.

Saturday’s game:  vs. DSL Brewers 1, TBD vs. TBD 10:00 am CT.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – June 9, 2022

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 3-3 on Wednesday. Palm Beach played a doubleheader and the FCL Cardinals were off. The Player of the Day is DSL Cardinals 2B Anyelo Encarnacion, who went 3-for-3 with three RBI and four runs scored in the Cardinals blowout win over the DSL Angels. Other standouts were Paul DeJong and Cory Spangenberg for Memphis.

Results from games played June 8.



Memphis 6, Durham 3

The Redbirds defeated the Bulls in a Wednesday night contest at AutoZone Park. Matthew Liberatore got the start for Memphis. The left-hander pitched six innings, gave up three runs, two earned, on six hits, struck out three and walked two to earn his fourth win of the season.

James Naile relieved Liberatore and threw one scoreless inning. Jacob Bosiokovic, Jake Walsh, and Kodi Whitley each tossed a scoreless inning.

Durham scored first with one run in the top of the first inning. Memphis tied it in the home half of the first on a solo home run by Paul DeJong.

The Redbirds took a 2-1 lead in the third on a solo shot by Cory Spangenberg. The Bulls tied it 2-2 in the fourth.

Cory Spangenberg

The Redbirds regained the lead with two runs in sixth. Dylan Carlson and DeJong singled. Alec Burleson scored Carlson on a single. Ivan Herrera plated DeJong on a single.

Durham scored their final run in the seventh. Memphis scored two more in the bottom of the seventh. Spangenberg singled. Evan Mendoza reached on a fielding error. Carlson drew a walk. Spangenberg scored on a wild pitch. DeJong plated Mendoza on a sac fly.

DeJong went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Spangenberg was 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Burleson was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Herrera was 2-for-4 and Carlson was 2-for-3.

On the base paths, Spangenberg stole his seventh base of the season. Herrera was picked off and caught stealing. Carlson was picked off first base.

In the field, Burleson made a fielding error but also had an outfield assist at home.

Memphis has a record of 33-23 and is in third place in the International League West, two games back of first place Nashville.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Durham, TBD vs. TBD 7:05 CT. 

Springfield 2 at Midland 4

The Cardinals fell to the RockHounds 4-2 in a Wednesday night contest at Momentum Bank Park. Gordon Graceffo started for Springfield. The right-hander pitched six innings, gave two runs, one earned on five hits, struck out two and walked one.

Tyler Pike relieved Graceffo and surrendered two runs in 1/3 innings. Ryan Loutos tossed the final 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Pike took the loss, his third of the season.

Midland took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Cardinals scored two runs in fourth to go up 2-1 on an RBI double by Nick Dunn.

The RockHounds added one run in the sixth to tie, and two more in the seventh to regain the lead 4-2.

Springfield scored two runs on eight hits. Masyn Winn was 2-for-4. Malcom Nunez was also 2-for-4. Dunn drove in two.

Masyn Winn

On the base paths, Jordan Walker stole his 13th base of the season. Moises Gomez was caught stealing for the second time. Winn was picked off first base.

In the field, Walker made a throwing error, his 14th error of the season.

Springfield is 21- 32 and sits in last place in the Texas League North, 10.5 games back of first place Wichita.

Thursday’s game:  at Midland, Dalton Roach RHP (2-3, 4.94) vs. TBD 7:00 CT.

Peoria 0, Quad Cities 9

The Chiefs were blanked 9-9 by the River Bandits on Wednesday night at Dozer Park. Starter Dionys Rodriguez pitched two innings, gave up five runs on four hits, struck out two and walked three. Rodriguez took the loss, his sixth of the season.

Enmanuel Solano relieved Rodriguez and surrendered one in 3 2/3 innings. Andre Granillo allowed two runs in 1 1/3 innings. Nathanael Heredia relinquished one run in the final two innings.

Enmanuel Solano

Quad Cities scored three runs in the first, two runs ins the second and one run in third. In the seventh the River Bandits added two more runs and finished the game with one final run in the ninth for a total of nine runs.

The Peoria offense managed five hits. Three were doubles by Mike Antico, Jacob Buchberger, and Francisco Hernandez. Tommy Jew and L.J. Jones contributed singles. The offense struck out 10 times and were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

On the base paths, Jew stole two bases for 15 bases on the season. Tyler Reichenborn stole his fourth base of the season.

In the field, Solano made a fielding error. Carlos Soto had a passed ball.

Peoria is 22-31 on the season and are in fifth place in the Midwest League West, 13 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Quad Cities, TBD (PEO) vs. Eric Cerantola RHP (0-0, 2.45) 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 3 at Tampa 13 (seven innings, game one)

The Cardinals were walloped by the Tarpons in the first game of a twin bill on Wednesday. Trent Baker got the start for Palm Beach. The right-hander pitched 1 2/3 innings, gave up five runs on four hits, struck out three and walked two. Baker took the loss, his fifth of the season.

Jose Moreno relieved Baker and surrendered three runs in 2/3 innings. Alfredo Ruiz allowed two runs in two innings pitched. Nelfri Contreras relinquished three runs in 1 1/3 innings. Andrew Marrero got the last out of the sixth inning.

Tampa scored six runs in the second inning and two runs in the third to lead 8-0. The Beach Birds put up two runs in the top of the fifth on a two-run long ball from Darlin Moquete.

Darlin Moquete

The Tarpons increased the lead to 10-2 in the home half of the fifth then added three more runs in the sixth to make it 13-2. The Cardinals scored their final run in the seventh.

Moquete was the only Cardinal with multiple hits, he went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Palm Beach scored three runs on four hits and was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

On the base paths, Matt Chamberlain stole his second base of the season. In field, Leonardo Bernal made an error on pickoff throw and had a passed ball.

Palm Beach 7 at Tampa 0 (seven innings, game two)

The Cardinals blanked the Tarpons in the second game of the twin bill in Tampa on Wednesday night. Tink Hence took the mound for Palm Beach. The right-hander pitched three scoreless innings, allowed two hits, struck out five and walked one.

Carlos Guarate relieved Hence and threw 1 1/3 innings of relief to earn his first win of the season. Hayes Heinecke tossed the final 2 2/3 scoreless innings and earned his first save.

The Cardinals scored one run in the first inning on a solo home run by Brady Whalen to take a 1-0 lead. The lead remained 1-0 until fifth when Darlin Moquete hit a three-run long ball to make it 4-0.

Brady Whalen

Matt Chamberlain thumped a solo home run in the sixth to increase the lead to 5-0. Palm Beach added the final run in the seventh. Adanson Cruz drew a walk. Moquete singled. Osvaldo Tovalin walked, Whalen walked, and Cruz scored. Moquete scored on a line out by Chamberlain.

Moquete went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Moquete was the only Cardinal with multiple hits. Whalen and Chamberlain each drove in two.

On the base paths, Moquete was caught stealing for the third time.

Palm Beach is 21-30 and is in third place in the FSL East, 13.5 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Thursday’s game:  at Tampa, Chris Gerard LHP (2-2, 4.08) vs. Juan Carela RHP (2-1, 2.58) 5:30 CT.

FCL Cardinals – Off day.

Thursday’s game:  at FCL Astros Orange, TBD vs. TBD 11:00 am CT.

DSL Cardinals 19 at DSL Angels 2 (seven innings)

The Cardinals shellacked the Angels in a 19-2 blowout on Wednesday morning. Starter Ronny Oliver pitched three innings, gave up two runs on three hits, struck out one and walked four.

Henry Gomez relieved Oliver and threw two scoreless innings to earn his first win of the season. Diego Dominguez and Oliver Lopez each tossed a scoreless inning.

The Cardinals scored their first two runs in the first inning. Jonathan Mejia led off with a single and Maycol Justo followed with a double. Jose Suarez reached on a fielder’s choice and Mejia scored. Maikel Hernandez walked. Justo scored on a sac fly by Miguel Vargas.

The Cardinals increased the lead to 4-0 in the second on RBI doubles by Mejia and Justo. The Angels responded with two runs in the home half of the second.

The Cardinal added three runs in the fourth. Marcelo Perez, Anyelo Encarnacion, and Mejia each drew a walk. Perez scored on a pickoff throwing error. A wild pitch advanced both runners. Justo drew a walk. Yaisel Ramos walked and Encarnacion scored. Mejia scored on a second pickoff throwing error.

Six Cardinal runs came home in the fifth on a Encarnacion double, a Justo single, a bases loaded walk by Suarez, a throwing error, and a sac fly by Hernandez.

Six more runs for the Cardinals scored in the sixth on an Encarnacion triple, a double from Elias Reynoso, a Ramos single, a fielding error, and a double by Alejandro Loaiza.

The Cardinal offense scored 19 runs on 16 hits. Encarnacion went 3-for-3 with three RBI and four runs scored. Justo was 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Mejia was 2-for-4 with an RBI and four runs scored. Reynoso was 2-for-2 with an RBI. Ramos was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Loaiza was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Suarez and Hernandez each drove in two.

Anyelo Encarnacion

On the base paths, Justo was picked off and caught stealing. In the field, Justo had a fielding error, and Hernandez had a fielding miscue and a missed catch. Ramos had an outfield assist at third base.

Thursday’s game:  at DSL Rockies, TBD vs TBD 10:00 am CT.


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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – June 8, 2022

Photo: Malcom Nunez (Springfield Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 4-1 on Tuesday. The game between Palm Beach and Tampa was postponed. The Player of the Day is Springfield 1B Malcom Nunez, who was 4-for-5 with four RBI in Springfield’s win over Midland. Other standouts include Dylan Carlson in Memphis and Tyler Reichenborn in Peoria.

Results from games played June 7.



Memphis 6, Durham 5

The Redbirds topped the Bulls in a one run game at AutoZone Park on Tuesday night. Connor Thomas got the start for Memphis. The left-hander pitched six innings, gave up five runs on nine hits, fanned seven and walked one.

Kyle Ryan relieved Thomas and threw a scoreless seventh. Zach McAllister and Brandon Wadell each tossed a scoreless inning. Ryan got the win, his fourth of the season. Waddell earned his third save.

The Redbirds took a 1-0 lead in the first. Dylan Carlson singled and Paul DeJong reached on a fielding error that sent Carlson to third. Alec Burleson plated Carlson on a sac fly.

Durham quickly tied it with one run in the second and then took a 2-1 lead in the third. Memphis answered with two runs in the home half of the third on Carlson RBI double and a fielding error.

The Bulls regained the lead with three runs scored in the fifth. The Redbirds got the lead again with three runs in the seventh for a 6-5 final score on a three-run long ball by Carlson.

Dylan Carlson

Carlson went 3-for-3 with four RBI and three runs scored. He was the only Redbird with multiple hits.

On the base paths, Conner Capel stole his 13th base of the season, but was also picked off and caught stealing.

Memphis has a record of 32-23 and is in third place in the International League West, three games back of first place Nashville.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Durham, LHP Matthew Liberatore vs. TBD 7:05 CT.

Springfield 7 at Midland 3

The Cardinals defeated the Rock Hounds in a four run contest on Tuesday night at Momentum Bank Ballpark. Michael McGreevy got the start for Springfield. The right-hander pitched six innings, gave up one run on seven hits, fanned seven and walked two to earn his second win of the season for Springfield.

Johan Quezada relieved McGreevy and surrendered one run in two innings of relief. Freddy Pacheco relinquished one run in the ninth.

The Cardinals got on the board first with three runs in the first inning. Jordan Walker, Moises Gomez, and Pedro Pages hit consecutive singles. Walker scored on a passed ball. Justin Toerner singled to plate Gomez. Pages scored on a single by Malcom Nunez.

Springfield increased the lead to 5-0 in the third on a two-run RBI single by Nunez. Nunez got his fourth RBI on a single in the fourth to the Cardinals in 6-0 lead.

Midland finally scored a run in the home half of the fourth. The Rock Hounds scored again in the seventh to cut the lead to 6-2.

The Cardinals made it 7-2 in the eighth on an RBI single by Delvin Perez. Midland added their final run in the ninth to bring the final score to 7-3.

Nunez went 4-for-5 with four RBI. Walker, Gomez, and Pages were each 3-for-6. Toerner was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Julio Rodriguez was 2-for-4. Perez was 2-for-5 with an RBI.

Malcom Nuñez

On the base paths, Walker stole his 12th base of the season. In the field, Toerner had an outfield assist at third base.

Springfield is 21-31 on the season and is in last place in the Texas League North, 10 game back of first place Wichita.

Wednesday’s game:  at Midland, Gordon Graceffo RHP (1-1, 5.59) vs. TBD 6:30 CT.

Peoria 11, Quad Cities 3

The Chiefs walloped the River Bandits in a laugher on Tuesday night at Dozer Park. Starter Wilfredo Pereira pitched five innings, gave up two runs on four hits and fanned eight. Pereira earned his third win of the season.

Nick Trogrlic-Iverson relieved Pereira and surrendered one unearned run in three innings pitched. Colin Schmid tossed a scoreless ninth.

Peoria posted one run in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Tyler Reichenborn singled and stole second base. Aaron Antonini drew a walk. L.J Jones singled to plate Reichenborn.

The Chiefs increased their lead to 6-0 with a five run third inning. Mike Antico and Reichenborn each singled. Antonini singled to score Antico. Jones plated Reichenborn on a single. Francisco Hernandez singled, and Antonini scored on a sac fly by Thomas Francisco. Mack Chambers singled to score both Jones and Hernandez.

Quad Cities got on the board with one run in the fourth and one run in the fifth. Peoria piled on with three runs in sixth on a three-run home run by Reichenborn. An RBI triple by Francisco and a Chambers single brought two more runs home in the seventh.

Tyler Reichenborn

The River Bandits added their final run in the eighth.

Reichenborn went 3-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored. Jones was 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs score. Chambers was 3-for-4 with two RBI. Antonini was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Antico was 2-for-5 with two runs scored.

On the base paths, Reichenborn stole his third base of the season. In the field, Antonini had a throwing error.

Peoria is 22-30 and is in fifth place in the Midwest League West, 12 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Wednesday’s game: vs. Quad Cities, RHP Dionys Rodríguez vs. Noah Cameron LHP (1-0, 4.15) 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach at Tampa (postponed)

The game between Palm Beach and Tampa was postponed due to rain. The game will be played as part of a doubleheader on Wednesday.

Wednesday’s games:  at Tampa, RHP Trent Baker vs. Yon Castro RHP (2-2, 3.00) 3:00 CT (game one).

at Tampa, Tink Hence RHP (0-1, 1.00) vs. TBD (game two).

FCL Cardinals 2, FCL Astros Blue 1

The Cardinals topped the Astros Blue in a Tuesday morning contest at Roger Dean Stadium. Yonael Dominguez took the mound for the Cardinals. The right-hander pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings, allowed two hits and struck out three.

Yonael Dominguez

Americo Lugo relieved Dominguez and got the final outs of the fifth. Jose Davila threw three scoreless innings. Randel Clemente surrendered one run in the ninth. Lugo got the win, Clemente the save.

The game was scoreless until the sixth inning when the Cardinals went up 2-0. Lizandro Espinoza led off with a single. Luis Pino singled. Jake Burns drew a walk. Hansel Otamendi singled to score Espinoza. Pino scored on a passed ball. The Astros Blue scored their only run in the ninth.

The Cardinals scored two runs on three hits. No Cardinal had multiple hits. Otamendi had the only RBI.

On the base paths, Adari Grant and Jeremy Ramos each stole a base. In the field, Raul Guzman made a throwing error. Felix Taveras, and Lizandro Espinoza each had a fielding miscue. Taveras had an outfield assist at first base.

Wednesday’s game:  Off day.

DSL Cardinals 6, DSL Cleveland Blue 9

The DSL Cardinals fell to the Cleveland Blue 9-6 in a Tuesday morning contest. Jovi Galvez got the start for the Cardinals. The right-hander pitched two innings, gave up four runs on four hits, struck out three and walked four. Galvez took the loss, his first of the season.

Juan Salas relieved Galvez and surrendered three runs in three innings pitched. Bruno Lopez allowed one unearned run in 2/3 innings. Juan Severino relinquished one unearned run in 2 1/3 innings. Esteban Contreras tossed a scoreless ninth.

Cleveland Blue posted four runs in the third and three runs in the fifth to go up 7-0. The Cardinals answered with three runs in the home half of the fifth to cut the lead to 7-3. Yancel Guerrero singled. Anyelo Encarnacion and Jonathan Mejia each drew a walk. Guerrero scored on a force out by Luis Rodriguez. Yordalin Pena plated Encarnacion on a single. Jose Suarez drove in Rodriguez on a single.

Cleveland added a run in the sixth. The Cardinals responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Arfeni Batista led off the inning with a single. Guerrero and Encarnacion each drew a walk. Mejia was hit by a pitch, scoring Batista. Rodriguez plated Guerrero on a sac fly. Pena doubled to score Encarnacion.

Cleveland scored their ninth and final run in the eighth.

Pena went 3-for-4 with two RBI. No other Cardinal had multiple hits.

Yordalin Pena

On the base paths, Guerrero was picked off and caught stealing. In the field, Guerrero made a throwing error. Suarez, Mejia, and Encarnacion each had a fielding miscue. Pena had an outfield assist at third base.

Wednesday’s game:  at DSL Angels, RHP Ronny Oliver vs. TBD 10:00 am CT.


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St. Louis Cardinals MLB Notebook – May 30-June 5

Photo: Paul Goldschmidt (Joe Puetz/USA TODAY Sports)

A 6-2 week helped the St. Louis Cardinals gain ground on the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers, as the Redbirds now sit a half game back from first place. Paul Goldschmidt (1.030 OPS) continued to lead the offense, but the now-injured Corey Dickerson (1.200) and rookie Brendan Donovan (1.000) also had strong weeks.

Our Blast from the Past recalls Michael Wacha’s debut in 2013 in a game that featured a four and a half hour rain delay and didn’t end until after 3 AM.

Game recaps

Monday, May 30 – Cardinals 6, Padres 3

In the first game of a three-game series at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals defeated the Padres in a 6-3 contest. Packy Naughton took the mound for St. Louis. The left-hander pitched 2 1/3 innings, gave up one run on two hits and struck out four.

Andre Pallante surrendered one run in 3 1/3 innings. Giovanny Gallegos and Genesis Cabrera each threw a scoreless innings. Ryan Helsley allowed one run in the final 1 1/3 innings. Pallante got the win, his first of the season.

The Padres got on the board first with one run in the top of the third inning. The Cardinals answered with two scores to make it 2-1 in the home half of the third on a two-run home run by Nolan Gorman.

Nolan Gorman

St. Louis increased the lead to 3-1 in the fifth. Brendan Donovan and Harrison Bader singled. Donovan scored on a Tommy Edman single.

San Diego made it a one-run game in the sixth. In the seventh, Paul Goldschmidt blasted a two-run home run to left center field. Yadier Molina hit an RBI double. The Cardinals led 6-2.

The Padres added a final run in the ninth for the final score of 6-3.

Gorman went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Edman was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Goldschmidt drove in two.

On the base paths, Edman stole his 11th base of the season.

Tuesday, May 31 – Cardinals 3, Padres 2 (10 innings)

The Cardinals topped the Padres in a one-run game on Tuesday at Busch Stadium. Adam Wainwright got the start. The right-hander pitched seven scoreless innings, allowed two hits, fanned 10 and walked one.

Adam Wainwright

Giovanny Gallegos relieved Wainwright and surrendered two runs in the eighth to deny Wainwright a win and blow the save. Ryan Helsley and Drew VerHagen each tossed a scoreless inning. VerHagen took the win, his third of the season.

The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Brendan Donovan walked and scored on a double by Paul Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sac fly by Albert Pujols.

The Padres tied it up 2-2 in the eighth. The game went into the 10th. Ghost runner Tommy Edman began the inning on second base and stole third. Pujols hit a sac fly to score Edman and the Cardinals won in a walk off 3-2.

On the base paths, Edman stole his 12th base of the season. Nolan Arenado was caught stealing for the second time. In the field, Lars Nootbaar had an outfield assist at home plate.

Wednesday, June 1 – Cardinals 5, Padres 2

The Cardinals took the third game of the series to complete the sweep against the Padres on Wednesday. Starter Dakota Hudson pitched seven innings, gave up one run on four hits, struck out three and walked one to earn his fourth win of the season.

Dakota Hudson

Drew VerHagen threw a scoreless eighth. Kodi Whitley started the ninth and surrendered one run but couldn’t get the final out. Nick Wittgren bailed Whitley out and retired the final hitter to earn his first save.

The Padres took an initial 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Cardinals knotted it up at 1-1 in the fourth. Paul Goldschmidt led off the inning with a walk. Nolan Arenado singled and Goldschmidt advanced to third. Juan Yepez plated Goldschmidt on a sac fly.

St. Louis took a 3-1 lead in the sixth on a two-run home run by Arenado. In the eighth the Redbirds added two more on an RBI single by Arenado and a double by Yepez.

The ninth began with Whitley on the mound in relief. He got the first out then gave up a solo home run to Luke Voit. The second hitter was retired, but a single and two walks allowed by Whitley loaded the bases. Whitley was removed and Wittgren entered to induce a fly out from Robinson Cano to end the game.

Thursday, June 2 – Cardinals 5 at Cubs 7

The Cardinals began a five-game series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Thursday. The Cubs were the winners in this initial contest by the score of 7-5. Matthew Liberatore got the start for St. Louis. The left-hander pitched only 3 1/3 innings in what was his worst start since being called up. He gave up four runs on six hits, struck out only one and issued three free passes. Liberatore took the loss.

Nick Wittgren surrendered one run in 2 2/3 innings of relief. T.J McFarland allowed two more runs in 1 1/3 innings following Wittgren. Kodi Whitley got the final two outs of the eighth.

The Cubs scored two in the first inning to go up 2-0. The Cardinals tied it in the third. Harrison Bader singled and scored on a double by Paul Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt scored on a Nolan Arenado single.

The Cubs added one run in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings to retake the lead at 5-2. The Redbirds made it 5-3 in the sixth on three consecutive walks to Juan Yepez, Brendan Donovan and Albert Pujols. A ground out by Yadier Molina scored Yepez.

The Cubs increased the lead to 7-3 in the eighth. In the ninth, Bader hit a two-run long ball to cut the lead to 7-5.

Bader was the only Cardinal with multiple hits. He was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. He also contributed with an outfield assist at second base.

Friday, June 3 – Cardinals 14 at Cubs 5

The Cardinals pounded the Cubs in the second game of the series at Wrigley Field on Friday. Miles Mikolas was on the bump for St. Louis. The right-hander pitched five innings, gave up four runs on eight hits, struck four and walked three.

Rookie Zack Thompson, newly called up for the Cardinals finished the game and threw the final four innings. The left-hander surrendered one run on three hits while fanning three and walking one. Mikolas got the win and Thompson earned his first major league save.

Zack Thompson

The Cubs took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a three-run home run. The Cardinals posted the first of their runs in the second. Nolan Arenado led off with a single. Lars Nootbaar doubled to right to plate Arenado.

St. Louis took a 4-3 lead in the third on a three-run home run by Paul Goldschmidt. The Cubs tied it in the home half of the third.

The Cardinals put up five runs in the fourth to jump ahead 9-4. Corey Dickerson hit a solo home run. Harrison Bader singled and then stole second base. Andrew Knizner singled to plate Bader. Tommy Edman singled, then Nolan Gorman blasted a three-run home run to right center field.

The Redbirds increased the lead to 12-4 in the sixth. Knizner drew a walk. Edman singled and Knizner advanced to third. Edman stole second base. Paul Goldschmidt walked. Knizner scored on a wild pitch. Arenado singled and Edman scored. Goldschmidt scored on a force out by Brendan Donovan.

The Cubs scored their fifth and final run in the seventh. The Cardinals bolstered their blowout with two runs in the ninth on solo home runs by Dickerson and Nootbaar.

Edman went 3-for-5 with three runs scored. Arenado was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Dickerson was 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Nootbaar was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Bader was 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Gorman and Goldschmidt each drove in three.

On the base paths, Bader stole his 14th base of the season. Edman swiped two bags to tie Bader with 14 steals.

Saturday, June 4 – Cardinals 1 at Cubs 6 (game one)

The Cardinals lost to the Cubs in the first game of the twin bill on Saturday. Johan Oviedo was recalled from Memphis to make the game one start. The right-hander pitched five innings and gave up three runs on eight hits, struck out five and walked three.

Jake Woodford relieved Oviedo and threw the final three innings. He surrendered three runs on five hits.

Chicago scored one run in the second inning and two more runs in the fifth to take a 3-0 lead. The Cardinals finally got on the board in the sixth to score their only run of the game on a solo home run by Tommy Edman.

The Cubs answered in the home half of the sixth with two additional runs, then added a final run in the eighth.

The St. Louis offense scored one run on five hits. The only Cardinal with multiple hits was Harrison Bader, who didn’t start the game but came in as a pinch hitter for Lars Nootbaar in the seventh and remained to play CF. Bader was 2-for-2. Juan Yepez had the only other extra base hit, a double.

In the field, Nolan Arenado made a throwing error.

Saturday, June 4 – Cardinals 7 at Cubs 4 (10 innings, game two)

The Cardinals rebounded to take the second game of the twin bill on Saturday. Andre Pallante got the start for St. Louis. The right-hander gave up one run on four innings pitched, struck out two and walked four.

Drew VerHagen relieved Pallante and surrendered two runs in 1 1/3 innings. Ryan Helsley came in for VerHagen in the sixth and gave up a double that allowed two inherited runners to score. Otherwise he threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings but was charged with a blown save. Giovanny Gallegos allowed one unearned run in two innings pitched and got the win, his first of the season.

The Cubs scored first with one run in the first inning. The Cardinals posted three runs in the fourth to go up 3-1. Tommy Edman drew a walk. Paul Goldschmidt singled, advancing Edman to second. Nolan Arenado walked to load the bases. Edman scored on a wild pitch. Brendan Donovan doubled to plate Goldschmidt and Arenado.

Chicago tied the game at 3-3 in the sixth. Neither team scored in regulation and the game went into the 10th inning. Paul Goldschmidt started the inning at second base. Arenado walked. Donovan doubled to score Goldschmidt and Arenado. Donovan scored on a single by Harrison Bader. Bader scored on a Lars Nootbaar double play. The Cardinals led 7-3.

The Cubs put up one run in the home half of the 10th, but the Cardinals bullpen held on for the win.

Donovan went 3-for-5 with four RBI. Edmundo Sosa was 2-for-5.

Brendan Donovan

On the base paths, Donovan stole his second base of the season. Bader was caught stealing for the first time this season.

Sunday, June 5 – Cardinals 5 at Cubs 3 (11 innings)

The Cardinals battled for the win in an extra innings nail biter in the final game of the series on Sunday night. Starter Adam Wainwright battled as well through seven innings without his good stuff. The right-hander gave up two runs, one earned on seven hits, three walks and no strikeouts. Wainwright hasn’t pitched seven innings without a strikeout since 2007.

Genesis Cabrera, in a stellar performance, was able to give the Cardinals four innings in relief, throwing 58 pitches and surrendering only one run. The left-hander fanned five and walked one to earn his third win of the season. The Cardinals haven’t used two or fewer pitchers in an 11 inning game since June 27, 1992. It was a hard won win for St. Louis.

The Cubs scored their first run off Wainwright in the first inning. Chicago scored their second run in the fourth to make it 2-0.

St. Louis was unable to score until the fifth inning. Tommy Edman singled. Paul Goldschmidt singled and a throwing error put the runners on second and third. Nolan Arenado singled to plate both Edman and Goldschmidt and the game was tied 2-2.

The game remained tied until the eighth inning. Cabrera gave up his only run on back-to-back doubles. The Redbirds battled back to tie in the ninth. Harrison Bader hit his first triple of the season. Pinch hitter Lars Nootbaar singled to score Bader. The Cubs failed to score in the home half of the ninth.

The game went into extra innings. Neither team was able to push home a run in the 10th. In the 11th, with Nolan Gorman on second base, Juan Yepez singled, Gorman scored, and the Cardinals led for the first time in the game, 4-3.

Bader then ground into a force out. After Molina struck out, Nootbaar drew a walk. Brendan Donovan followed with a double to score Bader and increase the lead to 5-3.

Cabrera returned to pitch the 11th. He induced a ground out from Nico Hoerner, struck out Jason Heyward, and got another ground out from Nick Madrigal to clinch the win for St. Louis.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-5. Arenado drove in two. Bader was 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Yepez, Nootbaar, and Donovan each had an RBI.

Paul Goldschmidt

Donovan had two outfield assists in the game. He threw out Ian Happ at third base and gunned down Patrick Wisdom at home.

NL Central Standings

Team                                        W                                     L                               Pct                                    GB

 

Milwaukee

 

          33

 

            23

 

         .589

 

          ——

 

St. Louis

 

          32

 

            23

 

         .582

 

             0.5

 

Pittsburgh

 

          24

 

            28

 

         .462

 

               7 

 

Chicago

 

          23

 

            32

 

         .426

 

             9.5

 

Cincinnati

 

          18

 

            35

 

         .340

 

            13.5 

Big Picture

The Cardinals ended the week with a record of 6-2. They swept the Padres in three games and took 3 of 5 from the Cubs. With the Brewers having lost 5 of their last 6 games, the Cardinals now sit a half game back of first place.

The offense has advanced past their reliance on Paul Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt still continues to hit well, ending the week with an OPS of 1.030. Only Corey Dickerson, who played in only four games and is now on the injured list, had a higher OPS of 1.200. Rounding out the top performers are Brendan Donovan (1.000), Nolan Gorman (.961) and Harrison Bader (.844).

Unfortunately, both of the Cardinals catchers are performing poorly offensively. Knizner has an OPS at the bottom at .282, with Molina slightly higher at .318. Edmundo Sosa, who was looked at as a replacement for Paul DeJong, has also not hit well, with an OPS of .411.

Then there is the pitching, which has been the liability. Starter Dakota Hudson came out of his funk and made a good start against the Padres, as good starts are for the sinker ball pitcher who walks too many hitters. Adam Wainwright made one good start and one subpar one. Miles Mikolas has not looked good in his last two starts. The rest of the rotation has been pieced together with duct tape and well wishes. Matthew Liberatore was called up and has been so-so. He is now back at Memphis. The Cardinals have gotten by with bullpen starts to fill in the gaps.

Then there is the bullpen, which consists of Ryan Helsley, Genesis Cabrera, a struggling Giovanny Gallegos, and various credible outings from Andre Pallante, Packy Naughton, Nick Wittgren, and the newly called up Zack Thompson, who made one appearance in one game out of the bullpen. Others such as Kodi Whitley (now sent packing to Memphis), Jake Woodford, and T.J McFarland have, for all intents and purposes, been abysmal. Drew VerHagen is up and down. The bullpen has become cringeworthy in many respects despite the bright spots of Helsley and Cabrera, who have been solid.

The pitching has to improve. Jack Flaherty and Steven Matz are likely to be back within the next couple of weeks, which will help the rotation. There doesn’t appear to be any help for the bullpen at the moment. Ryan Helsley’s work has been limited and the team won’t pitch him on back to back days. Cabrera is likely down for the count for the next several days after pitching four innings on Sunday. Gallegos is a conundrum.

The Cardinals face a tough week with three games against the Tampa Bay Rays in Florida and then a return home to face the Reds. The Reds still remain in the basement of the NL Central but are playing better than they were earlier in the season. Interleague play for the Cardinals is a crapshoot at best, and a long shot on the road. The Reds, like the Cubs, will give it everything they have to beat their division rivals. Not getting swept in Tampa is a win. The Brewers are not likely to be down for long, and their pitching is far superior to the Cardinals and will always keep them competitive. The Cardinals must bear down to keep their momentum.

Trade and Acquisition Rumors.

There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.

Transactions

  • 5/30 The Cardinals optioned RHP Jake Woodford to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/30 The Cardinals recalled LHP Packy Naughton from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/3 The Cardinals optioned LHP Matthew Liberatore to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/3 The Cardinals selected the contract of LHP Zack Thompson from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/3 The Cardinals optioned RHP Kodi Whitley to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/3 The Cardinals recalled RHP Johan Oviedo from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/3 The Cardinals sent LF Tyler O’Neill on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 6/3 The Cardinals sent RF Dylan Carlson on a rehab assignment to the Springfield Cardinals.
  • 6/3 The Cardinals designated 2B Kramer Robertson for assignment.
  • 6/4 The Cardinals recalled RHP Jake Woodford from the Memphis Redbirds.

Injury Report

  • RHP Jack Flaherty (right shoulder) was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL to make room for the addition of Nolan Gorman to the big league roster. Flaherty is scheduled to make his first rehab start on Sunday for the Springfield Cardinals.
  • RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) remains on the 60 day IL. The right-hander received a second opinion and has had surgery on the shoulder. Whether the injury is season-ending is yet to be determined.
  • LF Tyler O’Neill (right shoulder impingement) was placed on the 10-day injured list. The outfielder had been struggling at the plate with a .195 average in 32 games. An MRI showed no significant damage but there was fluid around the rotator cuff. O’Neill received a cortisone shot. The Cardinals sent O’Neill on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds on June 3. O’Neill is not expected to return to the roster until after the road trip which ends with a three game series in Tampa Bay.
  • RF Dylan Carlson (left hamstring tightness) was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 23, retroactive to May 22. An MRI was given, and the outfielder was diagnosed with a Grade 1 or Grade 2 hamstring strain. Carlson was sent on a rehab assignment to the Springfield Cardinals on June 3. Like O’Neill, Carlson will not rejoin the team until after the road trip on June 10.
  • LHP Steven Matz (left shoulder stiffness) left his last start on May 22 with some stiffness in his pitching arm. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 23. Matz threw a bullpen session in Chicago on June 2. The left-hander is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on June 5. Matz will likely go out on at least one rehab assignment.
  • RHP Jordan Hicks (right forearm flexor) was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 26, retroactive to May 25. Hicks suffered some lingering pain after pitching but there isn’t a large level of concern with Hicks at this time. Hicks will likely get some innings pitching in the minor leagues before being returned to the big league roster. Whether he will return as a starter has not been determined.
  • OF/DH Corey Dickerson left Saturdays’ game one of the doubleheader with a calf injury. Dickerson left midway through the second inning of the game.

Looking Ahead

After the five game series at Wrigley ends on Sunday, June 5, the Cardinals travel to Florida on Monday to play the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game interleague series beginning on Tuesday. No pitchers have been announced for that series.

After the team leaves Florida they return to St. Louis to begin a six-game homestand. The first three-game series will be against the Reds. Following that series is a three-game series with the Pirates.

Another road trip begins on June 17 with a three-game series in Boston followed by a four-game series in Milwaukee.

Following the Milwaukee series, the Cardinals return to St. Louis for a six-game homestand, three games each with the Cubs and the Marlins.

The regular season schedule can be found here.

Blast from the Past.

This week’s Blast from the Past remembers a game from the more recent past, one that was the debut of a former Cardinal starter and was notable for its lengthy and messy rain delay. It was much less notable for the fact that this writer stayed up until the wee hours of a Friday morning to watch the final out.

On May 30, 2013, the Kansas City Royals and the Cardinals met for the final game of a four-game series at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals had won the first three games and were looking for the four-game sweep.

On the bump to start the game was newly called up starter Michael Wacha. Wacha was a first round draft pick of the Cardinals in the June 2012 draft. Wacha’s meteoric rise through the Cardinals minor league season in less than a year left Cardinals fans eager to see the phenom. Wacha had pitched in only 26 games throughout four levels in the system, ending with 15 games pitched in Triple A Memphis before his call up. The right-hander ended the season on the Cardinals roster.

The Royals were in the midst of an eight-game losing streak on that Thursday. That game also marked the debut of Royals Hall of Famer George Brett as interim hitting coach. Brett remained in that position until he stepped down on July 25.

The starting lineup for the Cardinals was as follows:  2B Matt Carpenter, RF Carlos Beltran, LF Matt Holliday, 1B Allen Craig, C Yadier Molina, 3B David Freese, CF Jon Jay, SS Pete Kozma, P Michael Wacha.

The lineup for the Royals was:  LF Alex Gordon, SS Alcides Escobar, RF David Lough, 1B Eric Hosmer, CF Lorenzo Cain, 3B Mike Moustakas, 2B Elliot Johnson, C George Kottaras, P Jeremy Guthrie.

Managing was Mike Matheny for the Cardinals, and Ned Yost for the Royals.

The game started late due to a one hour rain delay. The first pitch was thrown by Wacha at 8:15 CT. The right-hander sailed through the first inning, retiring the first three hitters on a strikeout swinging, ground out to short, and fly out to LF.

The Cardinals came to bat in the home half of the first. Carpenter doubled to right field off Guthrie, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Beltran struck out and Holliday lined out to second. Craig singled to second and Carpenter scored. Molina singled to center. Freese singled to center, and Craig scored. Jay struck out swinging to end the inning. The Cardinals led 2-0.

Wacha retired all three Royals hitters in the second. Wacha singled, Carpenter walked and Beltran singled, but the Cardinals did not score as Holliday ground out and Craig lined out.

The third inning went by quickly, with both pitchers having a 1-2-3 inning. Wacha repeated this in the top of the fourth. Carpenter and Beltran both singled in the bottom of the fourth but were left stranded.

Wacha gave up his first hit in the fifth, a double to Cain. Johnson singled and the Royals scored their first run of the game off Wacha. The Cardinals got no hits in the bottom of the fifth.

Both pitchers retired all three hitters in the sixth. Wacha retired all three in the top of the seventh. Guthrie was replaced by Tim Collins in the bottom of the seventh. Collins got the first two outs, then walked Holliday and Craig. Molina grounded out to third to end the inning.

Wacha ended his debut with seven innings pitched, one earned run, two hits and six strikeouts. Randy Choate relieved Wacha in the eighth. Choate got the first two outs, and Seth Maness came in to get the final out.

The Cardinals were retired 1-2-3 in the bottom of the eighth. Mitchell Boggs came in to pitch the top of the ninth with the Cardinals leading 2-1. Boggs gave up a solo home run to the first hitter he faced, Jeff Francoeur, who had pinch hit for Collins in the seventh. He then walked Gordon. Boggs came out and Victor Marte came in. Marte hit Escobar. Lough reached on an error and then Marte gave up a two-run double to Hosmer. Marte then intentionally walked pinch hitter Chris Getz.

The rain came with the Royals leading 4-2 and no outs having been recorded. The game was official at that point but under the rules had the umpires called the game, the Royals’ three runs in the ninth would have been wiped out and the Cardinals would win 2-1. Umpire Joe West refused to invoke the rule and decided to wait out the rain under the influence of reportedly fierce lobbying by the Royals.

The rain delay lasted four hours and 32 minutes. As the grounds crew tried to prepare an incredibly messy field for the return of play, this writer remembers Matheny and Mozeliak standing and watching. Mozeliak was on the phone, probably attempting to persuade MLB to end the game because of a dangerous field. The grounds crew did their best, but the field was in bad shape when the game resumed.

Joe Kelly came in to pitch the remainder of the ninth. He induced a double play for the first two outs. He intentionally walked Johnson and Adam Moore flew out to RF. Shane Robinson, Carpenter and Beltran were quickly retired in the bottom of the ninth. The Royals secured their only win of the series as the game ended at 3:14 AM on Friday morning with a couple of hundred fans still in the stands.

The “official” length of the game was recorded at 2 hours and 27 minutes.

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